May 22, 2024

Acts 10:17-33 (HCSB)
Peter Visits Cornelius
17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27 While talking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there. 28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask: Why did you send for me?” 30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. 32 Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God, to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Mark Jenkins
In these verses, Peter is perplexed about the vision and it’s meaning....this seems so real to me. In today’s world, would we not be perplexed if we had a vision (from an angel or God), God speaking to us in the form of the Holy Spirit? The men Cornelius sent to find Simon Peter arrived and God told him to go and meet them and to go with them, as He had sent them. We see God tie together the visions Cornelius and Peter had been given. The things Peter thought to be unclean, based on his upbringing, God had corrected in ands they are not impure....while this was not directly related to other people, Peter could now see what God was saying to him.
At this point Peter followed the commands given to him, but he was not aware of the work God had for him...but he was willing. Are we willing to bring the Gospel to those who are not like us? I think we are called to be willing to listen to our Lord and Savior and follow Him in the work he is doing or the work that He has set forth for each of us.