“When they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him,” Luke 5:11.

Peter had been actively engaged in the good work of the kingdom of God. While visiting the believers at Lydda, he had healed a man with palsy. This convinced many people to believe in Christ. Peter was then called to Joppa, where he was instrumental in raising Dorcas from the dead. Again, many believed because of the Lord’s mighty working through Peter. But a change was coming that would shake him to his spiritual roots.

Today’s reading describes the rooftop vision that Peter saw. This prepared him for what would follow. “About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven,” Acts 10:9-16.

His obedience to the Lord was remarkable in the story so far. But when he saw the sheet of unclean animals and birds lowered to him, and he heard the Lord’s command to kill and eat, Peter balked. “Not so, Lord,” he said.

How many times have we had a similar experience? All seems to be going well. We are fulfilled with meaningful work. There are good results, and then the Lord lays something across our path. Maybe it is a call that appears too big for us, or an order that seems to conflict with the convictions we normally hold. Maybe it causes us to question whether this thing is really from the Lord. Peter’s response proved that he was well acquainted with the Lord’s voice, but his reply clashed with his recognition of who was speaking. The story does not record that Peter ate anything from the sheet on the rooftop after he received the message of the Lord. Our actions should always say, “Yes.” Let’s not get in the habit of saying “Not so.” We should say, “Yes to Jesus.”