The bible is a story about God’s love for His chosen people: the nation of Israel and those that would receive Him. It is a story that shows the depth of the love of God for His people. How He has gone overboard and beyond what we think is normal to win them over. It is a story of relentless love, continual love, persevering love, love that never fails, love at its best, true love. When I think about the sacrifices the Lord asks of us, how He often asks us to get out of our comfort zone to follow Him or obey Him, I tell myself that these sacrifices are a lot but when I read about the sacrifices God Himself has made on my behalf, I realize that He does not ask me what He hasn’t given me Himself. Just like the Lord gave us His all, He expects our all in return. Not because it is a reciprocal relation or because He needs it but simply because He wants to teach us what it means to be like Him and be one with Him. Today, I want us to focus on the story of Cornelius, a gentile man who is the first non-Jew converted to Christianity in the same manner that other Jews were. What I want to discuss is mainly Cornelius’ heart and how he was found by God, thereby validating the word of God in Jeremiah 29:13 where it says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”.
From what we know of Luke’s account of Cornelius, he was a roman soldier; a centurion who was well loved among the Jews. He was known to be fearing God and taking care of the poor. It seems his reputation had preceded him among the Jews in many synagogues (Acts 10:22). Today, we would simply say he was a good man. The type of person you want to be around with, whether they share your religious beliefs or not. Cornelius was simply a good citizen. Moreover, Cornelius was seeking God in his life, he would pray, and it seems he followed the Jewish way of praying, which means he had already forsaken his own gods, or the gods his fathers were worshipping. He must have been an alien to his own countrymen; he probably understood what it meant to be an outcast. From what we read in Acts 10, Cornelius’ life was one that pleased God in speech and in deed. And that sort of humility, God cannot resist it. His obedience to the God of the universe caused him to be visited by an angel. The angel had a specific message for him, he was asked to get Peter who would tell him what to do next. What a privilege! God sent messengers to this gentile man directly to tell him of the Good News! How many Jews had that privilege even though the Good News was theirs first? This goes to show that indeed, when you obey God, you are His beloved.
Meanwhile, Peter, who would be assigned to this very special mission had to be prepared. The Lord kept teaching him in a dream or vision that he should not call impure what God has declared pure. God had to teach Peter that he must submit to His authority; that he must accept that he only knows in part, he does not know in full yet. Thankfully, Peter obeys and goes to Cornelius’ house, however, he is still not sure what he is there for. When Cornelius tells him what had happened including the revelation he had while he was praying, Peter then understands his mission. What is more, as Peter begins to unfold the mystery of the gospel message, the Holy Spirit comes upon Cornelius and his household! This was the inevitable sign that sealed it for Peter and the other disciples that were accompanying him. It was because of that sign that they believed the good news had been made available to gentiles as well. You see, Cornelius had a big heart, he loved God and obeyed God and God did not disappoint, God proved himself to be true to His word. God became near to Cornelius and made sure Cornelius also had the privilege of knowing Him fully, without any barriers, simply by accepting the sacrifice of His son Jesus on the cross on his behalf. What I love about Cornelius is that he not only made sure the apostle spoke to him but to his entire household including close friends! Now that’s a heart of sharing and because he had such a heart, all those that were present had the privilege of receiving Christ as saviour and Lord. God’s heart is ready and wide open to receive any who would come to Him and that is awesome! Therefore, let us be like Cornelius, seeking God and making sure he is known among our entourage.
A Word Aptly Spoken 