Luke the physician wrote how, “Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth. Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that call not you common”, and in chapter ten and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “this was done three times” where we read:
This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
The verse begins, “This was done three times:” Luke began with the words, “this was done” which means “the voice telling Peter to slay and eat was repeated”, “three times” or “on three different occasions”. Luke shared how the “voice” speaking to “Peter” was repeated “three times”.
The verse goes on to say, “and the vessel was received up again into heaven.” Luke continued with the words, “and the vessel” which means “and the household utensil, domestic gear and chosen instrument in the form of a large sheet” “was received up again” or “was taken and raised up another time” “into heaven” which means “into the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Luke shared how the “large sheet” was take back up into “heaven” after the third time the voice spoke to Peter.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the Lord repeated his “voice or words” to “Peter” for a third time. God's purpose was intentional, and He desired that Peter yield to His plan. God loves people, and it seems that “Peter” needed “three times” to have His message received. Anyone who comes to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, and this message is worth repeating over and over again so anyone who sees and hears it may believe.
Next time Luke shares how, “Peter doubted in himself what this vision … should mean”, 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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