The Servant-Follower's Table

For the next two days we shall be held in a most mesmerizing and enlightening discourse, which will take us to places where we will see two apparently diverse and different areas coming together to make one grand picture to remember.

The promise was that we would be looking at tables, different tables which Sovereign God had prepared for us. We were told also that these tables would be spread in different circumstances. So far this has been the case. However, during these two days we shall be circuitously approaching the table set by Father God.  

Here is our most picturesque and interesting text. Surely not, Lord! Peter replied. I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. Acts 10: 14 

I have styled Peter as the servant-follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, Crucified, Risen and Ever Present in His faithful, inimitable Holy Spirit.

As I read this verse I was shown the words, “Impure Or Unclean” and told, IOU. We know that an IOU, short for, I Owe You, is a written promise, usually an informal document, acknowledging debt. These can be very informal indeed, only specifying the person who owes the debt, the sum owed and sometimes the creditor. 

Look carefully with eyes of faith at this truth, as you are shown an IOU in a very different way. The Creditor is Peter’s Lord and the debtor is Peter. What is the debt, the, I owe you, to be paid? Let’s reason this out together.

Peter is the Servant, of Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen Lord and King. Peter recognizes the voice that has spoken to him and addresses Him as Lord; Surely not Lord.  He is a person to whom Jesus has given new life, abundant life, resurrected life, to serve the Lord for all times. The first consideration for reasoning then, is that Peter’s entire life is an IOU to Jesus. In other words, without any strings attached, his life is not his own, it belongs to Jesus. If you are a servant of Jesus, one born again in Him, then your life too is an IOU to God in Christ Jesus. 

Peter is the Select, of Jesus Christ, active and ever present in and through the Holy Spirit. We are told that one day, about noon, while Peter was on the roof praying, he became hungry. While waiting on food to be prepared by human hands, he fell into a trance. He has a heavenly vision where the Lord has selected for him a table, with a huge spread from which to choose. Get up, Peter. Kill and eat. Acts 10: 13b. God specifically selected Peter, none of the others with him, but Peter, to receive this life-learning and life-changing experience. The second consideration for reasoning then, is that Peter’s table, his food, is prepared, arranged and directed by his Lord and Master. Note, as servant of Jesus, Peter’s table or food is what God provides. Jesus Himself has said, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4: 34b NKJV. If you have been selected, as a servant of Jesus, to feed on His given food, His Table, then your eating also, is an IOU to God in Christ Jesus. 

Peter is the Sent, of Jesus Christ, who is working His purposes out. Not always seen, is this obvious fact. Peter’s Master sent him to do something. He was sent to the heavenly table of all kinds of four-footed animals, birds and reptiles, to get food to eat. Have you ever seen this? I have not ever seen this previously. But this I know and acknowledge. This is the Holy Spirit and it is He only who is making this word live in us. This is what we are given eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to understand.

We will continue and conclude this, tomorrow.