Scripture
14“No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean. 15But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 16The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven. 17Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate… Acts 10:14-17
Observation
I always enjoy reading about Peter’s reactions because they remind me of my own. How often do we read of Peter disagreeing with God? How often does Jesus have to repeat Himself with Peter? Jesus tells Peter he will deny him three times and Peter says, “No I won’t” (John 13:38) and then he does (Luke 22:54-62). Jesus restores Peter to relationship and ministry by asking Him three times, “Do you love me? Then feed my sheep” (John 21:18-19). The repetition bringing clarity that it’s out of love that true ministry will flow. Then, we read here of Peter telling God “No, I won’t eat anything unclean” three times. Yet, God in his infinite patience tells Peter three times, “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” Peter had no idea that this repetition was preparation for the knock on the door and the door of salvation being opened to the Gentile nations. Once or twice and I’m not sure Peter would have been convinced, but the third time probably bought him right back to that moment on the shore when Jesus looked Him in the eyes with unconditional love and confirmed his calling. Thus, Peter was able to look these Gentiles in the eyes and say, “But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” (Acts 10:28) Sometimes it takes a few times to see things way Jesus does.
Application
Repetition leads to restoration. Repetition leads to revelation. Repetition leads to redemption. Repetition is preparation for what's next. Repetition is like an anchor for the heart in the midst of the tempest of a swirling sea of change. How many parents have said, “If I have to tell you one more time…?” and, inevitably we will and we do. Why? Because, like Jesus with Peter, we love our kids and want them to remember what matters most. Most of the time I’m not sure if anything I’m saying repeatedly is even sinking in. Then, I have a moment like I did yesterday with my son Aden. He shared his Life Journal with me (which is something I’ve repeatedly shared with my boys is central to hearing God’s voice.). He was journaling out of Proverbs 1 and wrote, “As my Dad always says, “Is that lie worth the price of your soul?” I couldn’t believe it. Whenever my boys were tempted to cheat on a test, or tell a quick lie to get out of something, or steal something I would ask this question. Aden not only caught that lesson I’ve repeated throughout his years but then applied it to his own life. Then, it sunk in why this lesson sunk in. It wasn’t just something he heard me say, it was something I repeatedly lived out when faced with my own temptations. Repetition without relationship to back it up is just empty noise. Repetition without the longevity and authenticity of being lived out is just hypocrisy. The repetition of Jesus to Peter broke through because Jesus proved it with His life over and over again and His death and resurrection. “Do as I say, not as I do” is a sad lesson many see repeated over and over again in every level of leadership. Jesus leads differently because He leads from love. He loves us enough to repeat what we need to hear until it sinks into our soul and changes us forever. He loves us enough to live out a pattern, a practice for living and then calls us to walk in His footsteps, one foot after another, repeatedly, every day of our lives. When God repeats Himself it’s because He loves us enough to not give up on us no matter how long it takes for us to learn the lesson. Repetition that flows from relationship is truly redemptive.
Prayer
Thank You Jesus for your immense patience with me. You are so good to me. Thank You for not giving up on me even when I’m missing the message or forgetting the lesson. Help me to have the same patience with others that You have with me. To see restoration, revelation, and redemption flow to those who, like me, haven’t fully understood Your love!
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