Scripture
Acts 10:1-6-“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius...He and all his family were devout and God-fearing...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...'"
Observation
Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in...fit into a certain crowd, fit into a certain mold, fit into the society around you? Cornelius probably felt that way. You see, Cornelius was an officer in the Roman Army, which meant:
- He was raised to honor the many Roman gods.
- He was part of the force that oppressed the Jews.
Yet, Cornelius didn’t honor the Roman gods like the others, and he didn’t oppress the Jews like the others. In fact, Cornelius and his family believed and feared in the One True God, the God of the Jewish people, and were compassionate to the Jews because of that. He didn’t really “fit in” with the Romans, he didn’t really “fit in” with the Jews, yet he didn’t let any of that stop him from pursuing God. One day at 3 pm, when he was likely doing his afternoon prayers, Cornelius heard a voice say his name, and he immediately knew it was God. God went on to say that He heard his prayers and saw his good deeds, and He wanted Cornelius to send for a man named Simon. I’m sure Cornelius was freaking out, I’m sure he didn’t know who Simon was, I’m sure he had some questions and doubts since God never told him what the point of finding him would be, yet Cornelius didn’t question, he didn’t complain, he just obeyed. Little did he know, God was orchestrating His Divine Plan to bring the Gospel of Jesus and salvation to him AND to the entire Gentile world.
Application
There are so many gems to pull from this reading:
- Even though Cornelius didn’t fit in, he wasn’t going to make excuses or let anything stop him from pursuing a relationship with God.
- God called Cornelius by name! He knew him, He heard his prayers, He saw his good deeds, and He would reward him with the gift of eternity. That’s how much God cared for Cornelius, and that’s how He cares for us!
- God had a plan for Cornelius’ salvation, and He would let someone else participate in that plan. Have you ever wondered why God would show up, talk to Cornelius, and then direct him to someone else? I mean, couldn’t God just have told him about Jesus? God had a bigger plan and Simon Peter would be a part of it. This was as much for Cornelius as it would be for Simon Peter and ultimately for all Gentiles.
- Obedience is key to seeing God move. God asks us to be a part of His bigger plan, so may we be quick to obey like both Cornelius and Simon Peter.
Prayer
Jesus, I praise You for Your love and power which you made evident through Your “bigger plan” of salvation. Please show me how to be faithful like Cornelius no matter the circumstances so that You can use me to bring others to You. Help me to have unquestioning and unwavering obedience like Cornelius, even when things don’t make sense, that I might be able to see You move in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
