Acts 10:9-35
English
Standard Version (ESV)
9 The next day, as they were on their
journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth
hour[a] to pray. 10 And he became
hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell
into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like
a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In
it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And
there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But
Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common
or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What
God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three
times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as
to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent
by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and
called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And
while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three
men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them
without hesitation,[b] for I have sent them.” 21 And
Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is
the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a
centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole
Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his
house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them
in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and
went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And
on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and
had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When
Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But
Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And
as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And
he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate
with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should
not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent
for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about
this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour,[c] and behold, a man stood before me in bright
clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard
and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send
therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the
house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at
once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in
the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said:
“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in
every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Do you
believe in coincidences? I don’t, I
believe in God moments and this is a God moment! Things happen for a reason and God directs
those things. There have been times that
I have felt down and out, at that time; there may be a sermon that speaks to me
in an amazing manner. There are times
when I have cried out to the Lord in frustration, disappointment, and
discouragement, at that time, I open my Bible for my daily reading, not by
coincidences but by God’s providence, I find the words or encouragement, joy, and
healing. This was the case in the experience
with the centurion and with Peter.
One
other thing to notice in this passage is that neither of these men questioned
the direction that God was sending them.
They went, maybe a little confused, but they went, in order to spread
the Good News of our Lord and Savior.
As you
seek Him today, may you find that you too are obeying and going where He
leads. Remember, all of this life’s events
are designed by your creator. Go,
follow, trust, and obey as you serve Him today.
Seeking
Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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