Acts 10:1-8 (NIV)
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Cornelius was the kind of person known as a God-fearer. He worshiped the same God as the Jewish people, and even observed many of the dietary laws and the moral code of the Scriptures. But in order to become an actual convert to Judaism, the men had to be circumcised, a step that many of the Greeks and Romans in the empire refused to take. In fact, many considered the practice to be barbaric.
But Cornelius’ heart toward God was good, seeking to please Him and praying often. That sincere seeking is ultimately what opened the door to God’s showing Him the way to come into His kingdom.
As he was praying that day, God sent an angelic messenger to him. The message of the angel was quite simple, and was in two parts:
- God was aware of what he had been doing. His acts of charity, done from a good heart, had risen before the throne of God like incense. And his prayers to know more of God had also been clearly heard and were about to be answered.
- In order to learn more about God, including how to enter into a real relationship with Him through receiving His Messiah, he needed to send for Simon Peter in Joppa, 35 miles south along the coast. Peter knew that way, and would show it to him.
As soon as the angel disappeared, Cornelius sprang into action. He chose three men to leave immediately for Joppa, two trusted slaves, and a soldier who was a God-fearer himself. He explained everything he had seen and heard and sent them quickly on their way. God had acted; God had spoken. And now it was his turn to obey.
Father, this is a clear testimony to those who claim that all that is necessary to get into a relationship with You is to “live a good life.” If that were the case, You would have had no reason to have Cornelius send for Peter to tell him and his household about Jesus. The only necessary message would have been, “Good job, keep it up.” But You did send him to Peter, because there is no salvation apart from Jesus. And, because Cornelius was intent on having a relationship with You, You put him on that path. Thank You , Lord, for caring about us enough to provide a way for us to really know You through Jesus. Amen.
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