6/22/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Acts 10:19-33 tells of the meeting between Peter and Cornelius. We find that Peter has been prepared by the vision. The Lord told Peter that people would arrive and that he was to go with them. Cornelius has also been preparing for his meeting.
Upon Peter’s arrival, both Cornelius and Peter assume that the other has a known purpose in visiting. Peter establishes that he is not someone who should receive worship. Cornelius says he desires to hear God’s message to him and his household. Peter makes sure Cornelius knows that it is normally unlawful for a Jew to even enter into a Gentile’s house, but that God has sent Peter to do so this time.
Here we can see another example of the gentle diplomacy of God’s people. Peter and Cornelius are both intent on caring for the other, including the other’s conscience. Even very different people can work together, especially when they have one goal, that of hearing from God. In the ministry work I do, then, I try to focus on what God in His Word would say, not on what my momentary opinion might be. This makes everything more productive.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Acts 10:19-33 tells of the meeting between Peter and Cornelius. We find that Peter has been prepared by the vision. The Lord told Peter that people would arrive and that he was to go with them. Cornelius has also been preparing for his meeting.
Upon Peter’s arrival, both Cornelius and Peter assume that the other has a known purpose in visiting. Peter establishes that he is not someone who should receive worship. Cornelius says he desires to hear God’s message to him and his household. Peter makes sure Cornelius knows that it is normally unlawful for a Jew to even enter into a Gentile’s house, but that God has sent Peter to do so this time.
Here we can see another example of the gentle diplomacy of God’s people. Peter and Cornelius are both intent on caring for the other, including the other’s conscience. Even very different people can work together, especially when they have one goal, that of hearing from God. In the ministry work I do, then, I try to focus on what God in His Word would say, not on what my momentary opinion might be. This makes everything more productive.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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