Acts 10:23-29 (NIV)
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Peter went willingly to Caesarea, a good day-and-a half walk. But several Jewish Christians from Joppa went with him. This provided both moral support and a degree of safety and accountability. Peter was told to go with these gentiles and not consider them unclean. But he didn’t know them and didn’t entirely trust them yet.
The next afternoon, just before three, they arrived in Caesarea, and Peter was taken directly to Cornelius’ house. He was surprised by what he found there. He was expecting an intimate discussion between him and Cornelius. Instead, the whole house was packed with his relatives and close friends – all gentiles!
Things got off to an awkward start when Peter’s arrival was announced. Cornelius was so excited, not only that the men had found Peter just as the angel had instructed, but that he had come! Cornelius knew about the typical Jewish scruples about consorting with gentiles and had worried that Peter would refuse to accompany his messengers. But here he was in the flesh, a man known to angels. He was so overcome that he fell to his knees before Peter.
Peter, of course, wouldn’t stand for that! He knew only too well how human he really was, how unworthy of any kind of praise, let alone worship. So, he pulled Cornelius to his feet and scolded him lightly as they prepared to go in.
Peter still wasn’t sure exactly what he was supposed to tell this large gathering of gentiles, who all seemed very anxious to hear from him. So, he began with his own divine encounter and what he had learned about these people from God Himself. Then he asked what they wanted to know from him and waited for Cornelius’ explanation.
Father, Peter had come a long way in the previous forty-eight hours. And he had come even further over the last few years, from the Peter who ran from perceived danger to the Peter who obeyed whatever You told him to do. And, from his standpoint, that was what this was all about. You were working here, even though he didn’t know what You were trying to accomplish. All he knew was his first step: go with these men. And that was enough for him to leave the relative security of Simon’s house and walk for two days with perfect strangers. He trusted that You would continue to instruct him and guide him at every appropriate juncture. Lord, I want that same obedient faith to work in my own life. I know that I like to have all, or at least most of the information up front. But help me to be like Peter, to be willing to start moving, even if all I know is the very first step. Amen.
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