David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 10:17-33

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, 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,^[d] 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.”

When I was first introduced to Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, I was impressed with the simple manner in which Luther explains the 10 Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s Creed, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. His refrain is, “What does this mean?”  While some may make fun of this simple approach, it has proved to be very helpful in explaining the simple expression, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” What does this mean? It’s not just that God created all things, but that he still preserves us. And he does this because of his “fatherly divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.” 

Peter will not have a catechism to look at. Martin Luther would learn things from Peter 1500 years later. But for now, Peter didn’t know how to understand his vision and the command to rise and eat, much less how to apply the admonition, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (v. 15) But he is about to have something better than a catechism answer to his ponderings. God was setting things up for him to receive these visitors and agree to their request to go with them back to Cornelius’ house.

I’m not sure, though, that I understand Peter’s comment once he’s there.

And Peter 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. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” (v. 28-29)

This is not the Peter of whom I’ve read elsewhere. Peter who speaks first and thinks later now seems to be thinking before he speaks. I think he’s cautiously trying to understand what God is up to. Rather than offering to evangelize them, he’s asking that they admit to their interest in Jesus. This is totally new territory for Peter. He will feel his way forward, all the while thinking, What does this mean?

Peter will now be invited to share God’s message with Cornelius. He’ll hear it for himself. Peter will have the grand opportunity to tell Cornelius and his household what this means. It means that the gospel message is for Jew and Gentile. It means that God really does love all people. It means that the Word of the Lord is growing. It means that people are being saved.

Years later Peter will write, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) It means you and I are invited to repent and believe the Good News of Jesus. It means that God’s glorious grace has come to us. This is most certainly true.