Today, in Acts 10 as part of the #LENTCHALLENGE, we meet Cornelius. This Roman centurion reminds us of the centurion in Luke. A faith-filled man, he committed himself and his family to worship, prayers, and helping the Jewish people.
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An angel appears mid-afternoon and instructs him to send men to find a mysterious man named Simon Peter.
Meanwhile, God gives Peter a vision of a large sheet lowering with all kinds of unkosher animals. The instruct: “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
Peter refuses.
But the vision repeats itself three times.
As Peter attempts to unlock the mysterious message, Cornelius’ men show up on Peter’s doorstep.
The supernatural account reads like an episode of X-Files.
When Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house, he discovers the centurion along with his relatives and close friends.
Peter recognizes the handwork of God:
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” —Acts 10:34-35
Peter discovers that there’s not one person who doesn’t deserve to know Jesus.
Jesus is Lord of all, all, all.
While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit comes to all those listening.
What do I most need to hear but least want to read?
I’m convicted of where I make judgments.
Draw boundaries.
Attempt to exclude.
Dismiss.
Marginalize.
Honest, brutal confession:
In the predominant Mormon culture where I live, I’m tempted to look at those in strange clothes and think, “That person will never come to know Christ.”
Yet Acts 10 reveals my small-minded thinking.
Our God is so big and beautiful, powerful and persistent. He rules all and He reveals Himself to all.
I don’t want to be on the team that stands heads down, arms crossed, heart closed to the work of God, the power of the Holy Spirit.
I want to live arms wide open, eyes looking up to the possibility that God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit are not bound by geography or ethnicity or background in every situation.
Father, forgive me for closing my heart to the truth that you are Lord of all. Empower me through the work of your Spirit to be a mini-Jesus as I go through today. In Jesus name, Amen.
What challenged you most from today’s reading of Acts 10?
