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.”

I’m not sure I was 100% correct, but I said it nevertheless. When it comes to mission work, I’d rather have chaos than gridlock. My point is that the mission of God requires us sometimes (?) to get dirty. It can be messy work.

I’m thinking of a young man who was far from God, quite unrefined in his understanding of how to act in church, and yet being brought into the Body of Christ. It was not easy or neat. But God was at work on him. The same can be said of the woman who was visited by a young evangelist, going door to door asking if she could pray for the residents of her apartment complex. The woman was nervous and obviously under duress. She closed the door. The next time, the young woman asked if she could pray for this resident, she allowed it and shared her story of abuse, addiction, and hopelessness. It took a while. And it wasn’t easy or pretty. But the story ends with her baptism, and she invited her friends to celebrate with her! They were a motley crew, but nonetheless, the focus of God’s redeeming love. Maybe not chaotic. But certainly not gridlock!

Some would think that Peter’s interaction with these people from Cornelius’ household was chaotic. Unrefined. Unscripted. Unexpected. But that is what God was up to: Expanding the reach of the Gospel. Isaiah puts it this way:

“Enlarge the place of your tent,
    and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
    and strengthen your stakes.
³ For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. – Isaiah 54:2-3

Ever been part of a renovation or remodeling project? It can surely be chaotic. But in the end you enjoy the fruits of your labors and the results overshadow the inconvenience.

God has set up all this for Peter and Cornelius and his household. This will prove to be a major shift in the spread of the Gospel message. The phrase which Luke uses throughout this book, The Word of the Lord grew, is coming true before our eyes. It may not appear to be that chaotic to our sensibilities. But trust me it was. And for this time – even though God does want things done decently and in order – there will be some chaos. Not 100% chaos, but I’m thinking maybe 75%. What do you think?