Edward Gibbon, the historian who wrote the “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire,”  history is “little more than the register of the crises, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.” But that’s not the case with this Chronicler. Chapter 9 begins the genealogies of the post-exilic Israelites. Both the Northern and Southern kingdoms had been sacked by their enemies and the citizens taken away as slaves. The generation listed in 1 Chronicles chapter 9 is a list of those who came back to resettle Israel and start over again.  I like the way Allen puts it, “For the Chronicler the whole history of the people of God is the story of fresh starts by God’s grace, and the return from Exile fits into a regular pattern.”  History is really a series of stories that demonstrate God’s mercy to fallen people. God helps them pick up the broken pieces and put their lives together again.

That’s exactly what Jesus is all about. The story of Peter testifies to that as does the story of all those who have turned to him for salvation. In Christ we all today find a second chance.  Max Lucado put it this way, ” Christ came to earth for one reason: to give his life as a ransom for you, for me, for all of us. He sacrificed himself to give us a second chance. He would have gone to any lengths to do so. And he did. He went to the cross, where man’s utter despair collided with God’s unbending grace. And in that moment when God’s great gift was complete, the compassionate Christ showed the world the cost of his gift.…”

Jesus went to such great length that nothing is out of the reach of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. In Peter’s vision of the sheet with all the unclean animals in it, we see that God has cleansed, through Christ, every disgusting creature. When I look at the list of the creatures cleansed it includes the “creeping things.”  I’m sure God’s intent was for Peter to recognize he was referring to the gentiles as a whole. They too have a place in God’s kingdom, even the “creeping things.”

Even us “creepy” things get a second chance!

Chuck
“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:  Preach the word of God.”  2 Timothy 4:1-2(NLT)