Luke the physician wrote how Cornelius sent men to Joppa after receiving a vision from the Lord, and “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour”, and in chapter ten and verse ten of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter, “became very hungry” and “fell into a trance” where we read:
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
The verse begins, “And he became very hungry, and would have eaten:” Luke began with the words, “and he became very hungry” which means “and Peter intensely desired to have something to eat”, “and would have eaten” or “and would have partaken of, enjoyed and took nourishment from something to consume or devour”. Luke shared how “Peter” became “hungry” while he was on the rooftop, and would have consumed some food if it were available.
The verse goes on to say, “but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,” Luke continued with the words, “but while they made ready” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover during the time the people in the house prepared food”, “he fell into a trance” or “Peter was seized upon, embraced and was pressed with a throwing of the mind out of its normal state or alienation of his mind by some sudden emotion and was transported as it were out of himself, so that in this rapt condition, although he was awake, his mind was drawn off from all surrounding objects and was wholly fixed on things divine that he saw nothing but the forms and images lying within, and thinks that he perceived with his bodily eyes and ears realities shown him by God”. Luke shared how “Peter” went into a “divine mental state” while people in the house were preparing food to eat.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn what happened to “Peter” while he was on the roof of “Simon's” house. “Peter” “became intensely hungry” while he was there, and wanted something to eat. While others inside the home where “Peter” was staying were preparing food, he had a “divine” experience that altered his mental state. We shall see what “Peter” observed in our next verse, but for now let us realize that God was at work in “Peter”. “Peter's” intense hunger came from the Lord. His desire to eat came from the Lord, and the “trance” into which “Peter” fell was from the Lord as well. God was working on the “other side” of “Cornelius'” directive, and anyone who submits themselves to God's Son Jesus have the Lord working in their lives “behind the scenes” as well. Let all who carefully study this story of “Peter” understand, God loves them and desires to have a personal relationship with every one of them through His Son Jesus even if He chooses to have them “fall into a trance” to do so.
Next time Luke shares how Peter, “saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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