A TALE OF TWO PEOPLE
Opening Prayer
Please show me something new in your Word today, Father, that will deepen my understanding of your purposes for my life.
Read ACTS 10:1–8
Cornelius Calls for Peter
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 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!”
4 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. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 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. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
As you have experienced church, in what ways has your definition for its membership and ministry been challenged to grow?God was preparing two men for a meeting that would shape the future of the church. We find it hard to understand why the first Jewish Christians found it so difficult to accept that non-Jews (Gentiles) could be full members of God’s church. The Old Testament made it clear that God’s plan was for the nations (e.g. Genesis 12:1–3; Isaiah 42:1). Jesus had told his disciples to go to all nations (Matthew 28:19). But steeped in the traditions of Judaism and the expectation of a Messiah who would deliver them from the nations, it was far harder than we might think. The need to break down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile is a common theme in the New Testament.
So in preparation for the visit of the messengers from Cornelius—who was being prepared in his own way—Peter had to be gently prepared with a rather strange vision. The heart of it was that God does not make the distinctions we do. We will see how the story plays out next week and will look at the implications for the church today. For now, let’s hold on to the need to listen to God even when we don’t fully understand. None of us has complete understanding, and God moves us on in unexpected ways.
Apply
Take some time this weekend to be quiet and listen to God for his instruction and direction.
Closing prayer
Lord God, when I pray, help me to be as eager to hear from you as I am to count on your listening to me.
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