Caesarea [Judea] is located on the Mediterranean seacoast and during the 1st-5th centuries, it served as a base for Roman governance. Caesarea Maritime provided a port—a base for the Herodian navy—and scripture teaches Jesus, Peter, Philip, and Paul traveled there. Paul sailed to and from Caesarea during his missionary travels.
When I was in Israel in 2012, I was able to see the remains of Caesarea: a Roman temple and its mosaic floor, an amphitheater, the hippodrome, and the amazing ruins of the aqueduct. The port is mostly hidden underwater due to rough winter gales, earthquakes, and an occasional tsunami. The winter day I was there the waves of the Mediterranean Sea were very high outside the outer harbor and breakwaters. I plan to show you some pictures of this area and more of Israel on Wednesday during Holy Week, so I hope you are planning to join me.
Our passage is a continuation from Friday, as well as Monday and takes place in Caesarea; the home of Cornelius—a Roman centurion. Our lesson continues with Peter and the prejudice God is working to remove from his heart, because it was God’s plan to bring Jews and Gentiles [non-Jews] together to make one new man in the Messiah.
In the passage, Cornelius is waiting for Peter’s arrival; he has notified all his family and friends. This Roman man wants to hear the Good News that saves a person from sin and death; he wants everyone he knows to hear this news, too. Peter knows it is God’s will for him to enter this centurion’s house, but he does not like it and struggles a bit with his personal feelings and perspective of safety. It is hard to break certain mindsets and traditions, but the angel makes it clear based on the sacrifice of Christ, no one is unclean who worships the Lord.
Cornelius honors Peter by bowing when he arrives and by grace Peter points this Gentile to Jesus who alone deserves our worship. Peter enters the house and finds a group of people—probably family, friends, and more Roman soldiers—who may have never worship the Jewish God, but are about to do so! Think about the faith of Cornelius and Peter. God got a message to them both, set up a divine appointment for them to meet, and arranged a receptive audience to receive the Good News of Jesus. Can you imagine inviting a group of people to your home—people who have never heard the Gospel—and telling them about Jesus? That’s what Cornelius did; this is the first time the Gospel is preached to gathered Gentiles and it is just the beginning
.
Acts 10:23-33 NLT Peter Visits Cornelius
23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
Prayer: Lord, this is such a beautiful lesson about how the work of the Spirit orchestrates salvation when we join in. Please continue to show us and lead us to reach out to all people who need to know you. We cannot hold such Good News within ourselves; it must be shared. Give us courage and vision to witness to the power of your redeeming love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.