Cornelius responded and did what the Spirit told him.
The Spirit of God prepared Peter and instructed him to go see Cornelius.
Peter responded and did what the Spirit told him.
And the two men ... the devout Peter - Jewish Christian and leader in the Jerusalem church
the Italian centurion - Gentile soldier and God lover
meet.
Read the story in Acts 10:23 - 11:18
Allow me to remind us of an encounter between Jesus and Peter. It is recorded in Matthew 16:15 - 19:
"Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; ..."The "keys of the kingdom of heaven" ... given to our man Peter. In today's reading, we observe the final of 3 'unlockings' when Peter used those keys to open doors.
First, Peter unlocked the kingdom of heaven for the Jews. We read about it in Acts 2. He preached Jesus. He preached salvation to all Jews who believe and accept.
Second, Peter unlocked the kingdom of heaven for the Samaritans - those peoples of mixed blood - some Jewish blood, some Gentile blood. We read about it in Acts 8. "Peter and John preached the gospel in many Samaritan villages." (Acts 8:25)
And now ... number 3 ... Peter unlocked the kingdom of heaven for the Gentiles. Through Cornelius and his household.
Can we "get it"? Can we understand? Or do we still long to keep barrier walls between peoples? As believers, do we want to keep walls up until a person thinks, looks, behaves, etc. just like "me"?
We need to allow Peter, through God's Spirit, to unlock some of our hearts. To help us remember ...
All peoples have the same Creator -
From one man He made very nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. (Acts 17:26)All peoples have the same Savior -
Salvation is found in no one else, [Jesus Christ] for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)Why does humanity love walls so much? What is it about us that relishes exclusivity? Jesus came to tear the walls down. Peter responded - not without struggle - not without soul searching and prayer. But he responded. I am convinced that we can too! Don't you want to?
If I learn anything from the story of Peter and Cornelius it is that God is no respecter of persons. He invites ALL who search for Him to find Him. When God called Abraham into that special covenant relationship with Himself, He said:
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12: 2 - 3)It is time ... past time ... for some of us to stand up and say, "As far as me and my house ... I will tear the barriers down."
There is a wonderful song, written by Jon Mohr and recorded by Steve Green that expresses better than I can these sentiments. Hear his lyrics as we close today.
All throughout the spirit realm a fearsome battle rages
The fates of men and nations hang suspended in the fray
Walls designed by satan in the twilight of the ages
Now stand as great divisions all across the world today.
Walls not born of government nor strife amid the nations
But walls within our churches and between denominations
Stones of dry tradition carved in fear and laid in pride
Become a dismal prison to those withering inside.
The body weak and powerless, crippled by division
The victim of a tragic and most cruel civil war
Brother fighting brother over culture and tradition
While countless lost and dying lie as casualties of war
It's time to end the foolishness of warring with each other
And kneel in true repentance that our union be restored
May we then as brothers rally round the cross of Jesus
And carry on with diligence the mission of our Lord.
Oh children of God
Oh soon to be bride
Let us humble ourselves
and crucify pride
Throw off the flesh
and its pious facade
and unite in the name of God
Let the walls come down
Let the walls come down
Let the walls that divide us
and hide us come down
If in Christ we agree
Let us seek unity
Let the walls come down.
It will require a transformation of our minds ... impossible? Not for those in whom God's Spirit dwells! The Spirit of God transformed Peter's mind ... and He can transform yours and mine.
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