Cornelius, a God-seeking man still to meet the God he sought, went to pray one afternoon. During his prayer time he saw an angel who told him of Simon Peter. Cornelius sent for Peter who brought him the gospel, but only after some convincing. Peter wasn’t sure about Gentiles hearing the message of Jesus.

God was sure however. Notice the progression. The Lord first sent an angel to Cornelius (and his household), then the Lord sent Peter, then the Lord sent the Holy Spirit. The gospel burst its banks and began to spread.

Peter, finally convinced, spoke to those assembled: 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.

God does not show favoritism. We do, but God does not.

Sometimes it’s easy to look at someone who has a position of power and wealth, like this Roman centurion, and think they don’t need Jesus. Or think they wouldn’t be interested. Or even more insidious, think they don’t deserve Jesus.

But it grows clear over time that even the most privileged need the touch of Jesus. This soldier, this seeker of God, stood ready and waiting and praying and fearing a God yet to meet. In my experience, many others wait as well.

Acts 10 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Clay Banks