Monday, September 20

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 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!” 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. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. – Acts 10:1-5

From what we know of him, Cornelius is really a fascinating fellow…

He is a Roman centurion. Interestingly, the Scriptures consistently present centurions in a positive light. Jesus praised a centurions faith in Matthew 8:10. It was a centurion that cried, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” In Matthew 27:54, and it was a centurion who protected Paul and spared the prisoners in Acts 27:42-43. I don’t know why centurions get such good press in the Bible. Perhaps it is because the centurions were the backbone of the Roman Legion. They were non commissioned officers (kind of like a Sergeant). They were the real working officers of the Roman army and they had a sense of honor, integrity and justice.

We also know that Cornelius was “devout and God-fearing”. As a typical Roman, Cornelius would have been exposed to the Roman gods; Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Augustus, etc. He must have found that they were not real and could not do anything for him. While stationed in Palestine, he became exposed to the monotheism of Judaism and became a devout worshipper. As a result, he, a Roman Soldier, prayed and even gave gifts to the poor and needy among the Jewish people! This would have been unheard of, shocking behavior for such a man!

So, Cornelius is a noble and spiritual minded Roman army officer who is longing for the true God. However, we also know that despite his devotion and generosity, Cornelius was missing something. He did not yet know this God personally, he did not yet know Jesus! (but he is going to…)

So, in response to his devotion and yearning (here is the best part…) God met Cornelius in a vision. God wanted to make himself known to this gentile soldier! How amazing and gracious is our God that he would hear and answer the prayers of a common soldier?

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
– Jeremiah 29:12-13

The average Jewish person in that day would have looked at Cornelius as nothing more than a symbol of the oppressive power of the Roman Empire. He was a pagan, a gentile by birth and therefore unclean to the Jewish mind. Yet here he is praying, giving and longing for the true God.

Who of us can tell what is really going on in another person’s heart and mind? Which of us can determine who is genuinely seeking God and who is hardened toward him? The truth is that we cannot even discern what is going on in our own hearts most of the time. Only God knows the depths of the human heart. The story of Cornelius should serve to remind us that the most unlikely person we can think of, may in fact, be just a step away from knowing and trusting Jesus. Even those who look and act like they are far from God on the outside may actually be longing to draw near to Him on the inside.

Who have you “written off” spiritually? Who have you stopped praying for?

Oh Lord, help us to see beyond the external. Give us your eyes to see people and your heart to reach them. Remind us by your Holy Spirit that every person we meet may be just a step away from knowing and trusting You – Amen.

Jeff Frazier