Scripture
24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Reflection
All through chapter 10 we were invited by the author to take part in the account of ‘The First Fruits of the Gentiles’. This account comes to an end in the verses following (see tomorrow’s devotion). However, it is within these couple of verses that we see God’s sovereignty at work. Both in Cornelius and Peter’s lives respectively, but also in the lives of the men sent by Cornelius, the believers who joined Peter and all the people Cornelius gathered in his home for Peter’s arrival. It is clear from this chapter that it was God’s plan and promise from the beginning to bring all – even the Gentiles – into a personal life long relationship with God and for them to be called children of the most High. God is sovereign over every little detail. All for His glory alone (Con).
Thoughts for the day
- How do you see God’s sovereignty at work in your life and in the lives of those closest to you ?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Pray for someone you may know who is need of physical healing.
