Word Live: A Higher Love
Spend time thanking God for all the ways in which he has shown his love to you recently.
Bible passage
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.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Cornelius was a Roman centurion who followed the practices of the Jewish faith such as praying and giving (10:2). However, most commentators believe he would not have been a full convert to Judaism, something which required circumcision. Therefore, many Jews would not have really seen him as one of them, even though tomorrow’s reading makes it clear they respected him for his pious life. Cornelius must have been used to being viewed as something of a second-rate believer. Imagine, then, his amazement when God spoke to him through an angel and revealed that he had been listening to all his prayers (vs 3,4).
I had a friend who felt that she was a second-rate Christian. She struggled to believe that God listened to her prayers, believing they just bounced off the ceiling. Sometimes our experiences in life and the way we have been treated by others can have a negative impact on our view of God. We can struggle to believe we are valued by the Lord because others have failed to value us. Some may not have believed Cornelius’ faith was equal to their own, but God disagreed. And this is not surprising, for his love, unlike ours, is perfect.
Author
Caroline Fletcher
Respond
Bring to God any experiences in life that you think have made it harder for you to believe and accept the depth of love God has for you. Ask God for his healing. Praying with others may help too.
Deeper Bible study
‘… go and make disciples of all nations’.1
Luke switches location once more, to introduce us to a centurion in Caesarea. Not satisfied with the state cults and mystery religions of Roman culture, Cornelius has been attracted to Judaism. He is devout, God-fearing, generous and prayerful, but has not been circumcised. He is not a proselyte, a Jewish convert. He is, significantly, a Gentile. He also appears to have no knowledge of the identity of Simon Peter, the man whom the angel tells him he must invite.
The sole initiator of this appointment is God. Neither Cornelius nor Peter has an inkling of the other’s existence. Yet the centurion is an example of ‘good soil’ for the seed of God’s Word.2 He is open to whatever God may introduce him to. It’s almost as if he’s been waiting for the next instalment of God’s revelation and so, after a short consultation, he sends three of his staff.
Often our evangelistic enterprises consist of widespread scattering of the message in the hope that a little will fall on good ground. This doesn’t sound like a good farming technique. Before sowing, the farmer will assess the landscape for potential, prepare the best ground and spread the fertiliser. Only then will the sowing begin. Actually, God is already preparing people to receive his word. In a world where men and women are increasingly conscious of quality-of-life issues, personally, socially and environmentally, we need to learn to recognise where this is taking place and to accept his invitation to go there. This is good soil. Noticeably, both Cornelius and Peter are engaged in disciplined prayer as the link is made. They are both ready to follow God’s lead, because they are listening closely to him.
List six people you know who are searching for truth, justice, peace of mind, purpose, satisfaction or direction. Ask God what your relationship with each of them might become.
1Matt 28:19 2Luke 8:4–15; see also Matt 13:1–23; Mark 4:1–12
Author
Brian Radcliffe
