The physician Luke wrote how two servants and a soldier of Cornelius went to Joppa to find Peter. After arriving at Simon's house where Peter was staying, they met Peter and convinced him to go see their master Cornelius. After entering Cornelius house, Peter found many people gathered there, and Cornelius told Peter, “we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter spoke of Jesus saying, “we are witnesses of all things which he did” where we read:
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem;
whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
The verse begins, “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem;” Luke began with the words, “and we are witnesses” which means “and we, Peter and the men who were with him, are each recorders, ones who give testimony and spectators” “of all things” or “of each, every, the whole and everyone of the acts” “which he did both in the land of the Jews” which means “that Jesus performed, made ready and produced in the arable land, territory and country belonging to the people of the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion”, “and in Jerusalem” or “and within Jerusalem which means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people in his home that he and the men with him could all give testimony and record of everything Jesus did while He was in the territory belonging to the Jewish people and within the city of Jerusalem.
The verse continues, “whom they slew and hanged on a tree:” Luke added the words, “whom they slew” which means “whom, Jesus, the people opposed to Jesus lifted up, abolished and killed” “and hanged on a tree” or “and suspended upon a cross”. Luke shared how “Peter” referred to how people opposed to Jesus “killed” Him as he told “Cornelius” and the people in his home about Jesus being crucified.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” “bore record” of the “life” of Jesus when He journeyed in Jerusalem and through the country belonging to the Jews, and He shared how people “crucified” Jesus upon a cross. We can imagine countenances of “Cornelius” and the people in his house as “Peter” relayed this story, and when they realize it was for their “sins” Jesus died, they were prone to repent before God. God loves people, and although He does “good” throughout the world, many reject and refuse the “salvation” He offers through His Son Jesus. Anyone who surrenders their life to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, and those who are wise understand, Jesus went to the cross, “hung on a tree” and died so they might live with Him forever.
Next time Luke shares how Peter says, “Him God raised up the third day”, 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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