Blessed by being used

Acts 10:1-8

¹ In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. ² He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. ³ One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said.

⁴ Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel.

And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! ⁵ Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. ⁶ He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.”

⁷ As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. ⁸ He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told the disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Here, we see some of that spread taking place. What strikes me is how God decides to do this. He could have revealed the truth directly to Cornelius, like he did to Saul on the road to Damascus. Clearly, Cornelius was receptive to hearing God since he heard and immediately acted upon the vision God gave him. But God chose to use Peter to explain the scriptures and salvation to Cornelius. Why?

I think there are several answers to that.

1. The nation of Israel was always intended to be a blessing to the nations by showing God to them (Genesis 12:2-3) but they had failed in that task. Using Peter to explain to a Roman shows God’s mercy and restoration of that task. I have failed, too, but God shows me the same mercy.
2. God is showing Peter (and the other disciples) that he loves all people. Cornelius’ nationality and job meant that he was not naturally a favourite of the Jews, but he was still a favourite of God’s. Do I have biases against people whom God wants me to love instead?
3. Seeing a fulfilment of Jesus’ direction that the disciples would be his witnesses over an increasing area would have encouraged them. Such encouragement spurs us on to do the things God has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Lord, help me to recognise the things you have prepared for me to do, and to do them.

God blesses me by using me for his purposes too.

Thank you, Lord, for using Peter and the other disciples to tell people about you. I know that you could achieve your purposes without using me, but thank you for allowing me to partner with you. It is a blessing. Please help me to hear what you are asking me to do, and to act on it faithfully. Amen

Written by Megan Cornell