Peter and the Gentiles

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled Matthew five six. Dear Lord, stir within us an unquenchable hunger and thirst for righteousness. May it be a driving force that moves us to action, to advocate for the voiceless, to defend the weak, and to stand against injustice wherever. 00:00:29 Speaker 2: We see it. 00:00:31 Speaker 1: Let our pursuit of righteousness be as essential as the air we breathe and the water we drink. Knowing that in your kingdom, these efforts are not in vain, but lead us to a profound fulfillment. Help us not only to seek righteousness, but to embody it. May our daily choices reflect our commitment to do what is right, just and good in your eyes. Empower us by your spirit to be agents of change, carriers of peace, and beacons of hope and integrity in a world that often seems lost in darkness. Fill us, Lord, as you promised, and let our lives overflow with the righteousness that comes from walking closely with you. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for our mini series on the birth of the Church. If this podcast has blessed you, we would love it if you left a review. Doing so makes a huge impact on our team. The sound of gulls and bartering sailors echoed from the shores of Galilee. The wind picked up scents of freshly caught fish and eucalyptus leaves. Peter leaned back, listening to Jesus with awe. Peter didn't know what the future held for him, but he knew that Jesus would be there to guide him through the highs and bulls. He listened intently as Jesus stood before the crowd on the naut voice booming of grace and authority. 00:02:40 Speaker 3: Blessed are the poor in spirit. 00:02:43 Speaker 4: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 00:02:45 Speaker 1: Those words brought comfort to those who had been kicked around in life. The beggars and sick alike came alive at the idea of being blessed with the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesusesus continued encouraging the bereaved and the morning. 00:03:04 Speaker 5: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:03:08 Speaker 1: Those words were balms to wounded and weary souls. But then Jesus said something that seemed counterintuitive, something upside down to the culture of conquest that consumed the age. Roman soldiers standing at attention in the back shuddered at the very sound of jesus next. 00:03:29 Speaker 5: Proclamation, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 00:03:36 Speaker 1: That encouragement cut through the pride of those who thought their strength gave them license to be cool. Important merchants and Roman guards perked up at the sound of it. Then, with earnest excitement in his voice, Jesus continued. 00:03:55 Speaker 5: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 00:04:04 Speaker 6: We serve a God who breaks down boundaries, boundaries between us and Him and the sin that would keep us distant from each other, but also the boundaries that keep us from connecting. No matter our differences, those who are tied by the Gospel will always have something in common. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the glory of God's truth through cinematic storytelling. Today, we're venturing into Acts Chapter ten, a chapter that might just make you rethink your comfort zone. It's a story about visions, unlikely friendships in God's audacious plan to expand the horizons of his early church. So buckle up. This is going to be a journey that challenges us to see beyond our familiar landscapes and shake hands with people we never thought we would ever meet. 00:04:52 Speaker 7: Fit out of the way, rat. 00:04:54 Speaker 1: The soldier stood above a beggar who had fallen in the middle of the street. 00:04:59 Speaker 2: You're blocking the way. Have the centurion move or be moved. 00:05:03 Speaker 1: The beggar's brow turned inward, terrified of what the soldier might do. He tried to move, but his leg was injured. 00:05:13 Speaker 2: I want you. 00:05:14 Speaker 1: Before the soldier had a chance to strike, someone grabbed his arm. 00:05:19 Speaker 3: Leave this man alone. That's an order. 00:05:21 Speaker 1: The man's voice was deep and commanding. Golden eagle emblems were wretched into his armor, and his helmet was adorned with red, white and gold frays. Strap to his side was a sword with a serpent engraved on the hilt. He was Cornelius, a centurion of Rome. 00:05:44 Speaker 3: You weren't raised in the ranks of Caesar to beat defenseless beggars. Fall back in line. 00:05:51 Speaker 2: Let's dominate. 00:05:51 Speaker 1: Cornelius extended a hand to the man and lifted him off the ground. He placed a small bag of silver in his head and smiled, go your. 00:06:02 Speaker 3: Way, sir, I'm sorry for the trouble. If this silva isn't enough to pay for a physician to treat your leg, find my attendant and he will help you. 00:06:11 Speaker 1: The beggar, unable to find the proper words, simply replied. 00:06:15 Speaker 4: May God bless you, my lord, he has abundantly. 00:06:20 Speaker 1: Cornelius replied in a low and pleasant voice. The centurion helped him to the side of the world, and then turned to his men. 00:06:29 Speaker 3: You are soldiers of the Italian cohort, men of honor, hammers used to build the empire. The strength of your arms are wasted, tormenting the defenseless. You may not fear God, but I do, and I shall not have such browbeating under my command. Is that understood away. 00:06:50 Speaker 1: Cornelius was a devout man, one of a few God fearing Gentiles in Casarea. Although he was an Italian Centaurian, he fell deeply connected to the God of the Jews. He attended the Synagogue of Gentiles and Hellenists, traveled to Jerusalem from the major feasts, and read the scriptures fervently. He was a man of prayer and imparted a habit of faithfulness to his household. The law was etched on his heart, affecting how he commanded his men. While other soldiers of his status hungered for power and thirsted for the approval of Caesar, Cornelius hungered for righteousness. He thirsted for something greater than wrong, greater than Caesar. Cornelius rounded the corner of the market place with the sentry marching behind him. His hand remained on the hilt of his blade, and the golden markings of his armor shimmered in the afternoon sun. Most people trembled when a Roman soldier passed through the city, but the Italian cohort was different. People were awed when they marched, children rushed to get a view of them, and venders cheered as they passed. They were respected and beloved thanks to the righteous rule of their commanding centurion. At the ninth hour, Cornelius retreated to his room to seek God. The air was cool, a stark contrast to the heat outside. He bowed a knee to the Lord, searching for him, hungering for wisdom and righteousness. As Cornelius prayed, the sides of his vision grew dim and in the center of his mind's eye, he saw an angel of the Lord before him. The angel was draped in splendor and glory, and with a voice booming like thunder. Cornelius being a good soldier, Cornelius bowed at attention, ready to serve. 00:09:15 Speaker 3: What is it? 00:09:15 Speaker 4: My Lord? 00:09:16 Speaker 8: Just then your prayers and alms to the poor have sent it as a memorial before the Lord. Send men to chop and ask for a man named Peter. He is lodging in a home by the sea with a man named Simon the Tanner. Peter will show you the way. 00:09:37 Speaker 1: Cornelius could see the room again. The angel was gone, but his commands lingered in the centurion's mind. Cornelius rose and shouted for his attendants. 00:09:51 Speaker 3: Men, I need you to go to Chopper. Find me a man of God named Peter. 00:09:56 Speaker 1: Peter took in the breeze coming in from the sea. The salty air filled his lungs, refreshing his mind after days of travel. Peter had always loved Joppa. The ships coming in and out of the port were much larger than the humble ones he grew up with in Galilee. As a boy. He wondered what it would be like to sail the Mediterranean to lands unknown. They were only dreams back then. However, after following Jesus, Peter realized that nothing was impossible. He tried to pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God, but an ache in his stomach kept him from concentrating. 00:10:43 Speaker 2: Oh Lord, I'm hungry. 00:10:45 Speaker 1: Peter turned back to the man hosting him. 00:10:47 Speaker 2: Is there any way I could get something to eat? 00:10:50 Speaker 7: My journey seems to be catching up with me a few lightheaded. 00:10:56 Speaker 3: Don't worry. I'll whip something up for you, Peter. 00:10:59 Speaker 2: God bless you. Let me know when it's ready. 00:11:02 Speaker 1: The man descended the stairs, leaving Peter alone on the roof. Peter leaned over the edge, drawing another deep breath of salt air seasoned with the faint smell of fish and damp wood. It was a pleasant and familiar smell. Peter felt his stomach again. Hunger panes jabbed at him. He leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes. The soothing noise of the ocean faded and all was silent. Peter opened his eyes and looked up. He was no longer on the roof, but standing on a grassy hill, gazing at the stars. The skies were arrayed with millions of lights twinkling to the tune of an unheard song. Suddenly, the lights moved toward one, converging in one space, then exploding. The heavens opened up and a burst of light through the firmament. Peter rolled back and watched with fear. Peter saw something like a great sheet descending from the heavens, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. On the sheet were all kinds of animals, reptiles and birds. Then Peter heard a voice boom from the heavens. 00:12:37 Speaker 4: Rise, Peter, kill and eat. 00:12:41 Speaker 1: Peter looked at the animals. Although he was starving, None of those animals were ceremonially accepted. The law of Moses forbade Peter from eating every animal that walked before him. He thought the command might be attest to see if he would follow the law when hunger. 00:13:00 Speaker 2: No, Lord, I can't eat these animals. I can't eat anything common or unclean. 00:13:06 Speaker 4: What God has made clean, do not call a cobbin. 00:13:11 Speaker 1: The wind picked up throughout the hills. The sheet was rolled up and brought back into heaven. Peter gasped and opened his eyes. He looked around. He was back on the roof. He stood to his feet and looked out at the sea. 00:13:30 Speaker 2: But God has made clean, do not call common? What does this mean? 00:13:35 Speaker 1: Peter rubbed his eyes, trying to grasp reality again. His vision was perplexing. Peter no longer thought about the hunger in his stomach. Instead, he was filled with questions about the meaning of his vision. In his prayers, Peter heard from the Holy Spirit three men were looking for him. When they arrived, Peter had to listen. Sure enough, Peter saw three men standing at the gates. 00:14:10 Speaker 2: Okay, Lord, what do you have next? 00:14:13 Speaker 1: Peter descended the stairs and approached the men. 00:14:16 Speaker 2: How may I help you? Gentlemen? 00:14:18 Speaker 3: We are looking for a man of God named Peter. We are told he may be lodging here. Where are you looking at him? Why have you come? We've come here from Caesarea on behalf of Cornelius Centurion over the Italian Cohort. We know what you might be thinking. Why would a gentile be asking for you? But Cornelius is a god fearing man who has beloved among the Jewish people in the region. 00:14:42 Speaker 2: You still haven't told me why he summoned me. 00:14:45 Speaker 1: The three men looked at each other, wondering how much detail to offer. What they were about to say seemed crazy to them, but they didn't know who they were talking to. 00:14:57 Speaker 3: He claims, an angel told him to find you. This angel told him that you have something to tell him and his household. 00:15:05 Speaker 1: Peter smirked, eyes lit up with curiosity. God was on the move. Lead the way, Peter summitted a small hill overlooking the road to Cesarea. A few brothers in Christ from Joppa accompanied him as they followed the three gentile servants into the city. As Peter scanned the city below, he thought about his vision. 00:15:33 Speaker 4: What God has made clean? 00:15:35 Speaker 1: Do not call a common custom forbade Jews to eat with gentiles, But here Peter was sharing the road with gentiles, to be hosted by gentiles, and not just any gentiles. The household of an esteemed centurion. 00:15:54 Speaker 2: Tell me more about the centurion. 00:15:57 Speaker 3: Well, he's not like other men in his position. While most of the centurions crave more power, Cornelius has other appetites. He hungers for. 00:16:07 Speaker 1: The servants trailed off searching for the right words righteousness. Peter whispered, remembering the words of his master years ago. 00:16:17 Speaker 5: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 00:16:23 Speaker 1: The men weaved through the busy cities of Cesarea, marching past the barracks into the Cornelius estate. Blooming ivy covered the large stone walls. Golden eagles were etched into the gates. Peter felt slightly uneasy. It was like Caesar was watching. No devout Jew would be caught dead in the home of a centurion, at least voluntarily. Peter and his companions entered the courtyard. He saw Cornelius with his family and friends. He wore Roman robes with Caesar's seal pin to the sash. Peter winced at the sight of him. He had been conditioned to avoid the Romans his whole life. Now he was preparing to preach the gospel to them. Cornelius perked up at the side of Peter. His shoulders swung back, and he began to run forward. Peter braced himself for an attack, but instead Cornelius ran forward and fell at Peter's feet. Every one gasped at the sight of it. Cornelius, a man of power and prestige, bowed in front of an uneducated Galileean Jew. 00:17:49 Speaker 3: Praise you, Peter, praise you for coming. 00:17:53 Speaker 1: Peter's eyes widened. He laughed nervously and grabbed Cornelius by the shoulders. 00:18:00 Speaker 3: No, please stand up. 00:18:02 Speaker 7: I'm a man just like you. 00:18:03 Speaker 1: Cornelius stood up and cast a shadow down over him. Peter was used to being the tallest man in the room, but the centurion stood nearly a head taller. He was broad shouldered and chiseled from head to toe. Peter cleared his throat and gestured to his family. 00:18:24 Speaker 7: Come gather round, eh, for I believe the Lord has a word for us all today. 00:18:29 Speaker 1: Everyone gathered round Peter. The cypress trees in the courtyard cast a pleasant shadow over the group. He looked around, realizing what God had been trying to show him. 00:18:43 Speaker 7: You all know that it's unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone of another nation. To Jews, you are all considered unclean. But God has shown me that I shouldn't call anyone common or unclean. 00:19:00 Speaker 2: So when your companion sent for me, I came without objection. 00:19:05 Speaker 1: Peter jestered to Cornelius, Now tell me for him. 00:19:09 Speaker 2: Why have you sent for me? 00:19:11 Speaker 1: Cornelius was standing at attention. He was leaning forward as if Peter was about to feed him something delicious. 00:19:19 Speaker 3: Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my home. As I was praying, a man stood before me in bright clothing. I perceived him to be an angel sent from heaven. He told me to find you, And now I and my household are here in the presence of God to hear what you have been commanded to preach. 00:19:44 Speaker 7: Amazing, I guess God doesn't show partierity. Every nation who fears Him and seeks righteousness will be accepted before him. 00:19:54 Speaker 1: Peter stretched out his arms and greeted them as family, saying, this. 00:19:59 Speaker 7: Is the word I have come to preach. It is good news, and that knows is peace peace through a knowledge of Jesus Christ. 00:20:08 Speaker 4: Lord of all. 00:20:11 Speaker 7: Many of you have probably heard his name. He became famous throughout Judea. He was a man of great works and healing. 00:20:20 Speaker 2: He cast out demons and preached liberty to the captives. God was truly with him. 00:20:27 Speaker 7: By and my companions are witnesses of all that he did. But not all were amazed by his words and words. He was put to death across but God raised him from the dead. Three days later we bore witness to his resurrection, we ate with him, communed with him, and felt his embrace. He truly rose from the dead. Now we all testify to his life. He has been a pointed by God to be judge of the living. 00:21:03 Speaker 2: And the dead. 00:21:04 Speaker 1: Peter paused, turned to Cornelius and said. 00:21:08 Speaker 2: I've been told you are a God fearing man, and have read the prophets. They bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins to his name. 00:21:21 Speaker 1: As Peter spoke, people began to stir. The spirit of God was in their midst, moving hearts and stirring souls. The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. They began to speak in tongues and praise the Lord with passion and insight. Peter and his companions watched in amazement as uncircumcised gentiles received Christ into their hearts and immediately poured out praise. They had no idea what to make of it. Up until now, only Jews had received Christ. But now something new was at work, something that penetrated through the walls of race, culture, class, or creed. 00:22:14 Speaker 3: Praise be to God and the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He has filled us. He has come. 00:22:22 Speaker 1: Peter turned back to his companions. 00:22:25 Speaker 7: You see and hear it, don't you? How could we possibly with old water for baptizing these people? 00:22:31 Speaker 2: They received the Holy Spirit. 00:22:34 Speaker 1: Peter and the others led Cornelius and his family down to the water. They baptized them all one by one. The connection to God Cornelius had longed for had come in the form of God's spirit. It didn't matter whether he was a gentile, a Roman, or a centurion. He hungered for righteousness and God filled him. 00:23:09 Speaker 6: Man, I love this story. Let's start with Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed in Cesarea. Picture a man in shining armor commanding a hundred soldiers, a symbol of the occupying force in Judea. Now imagine the same man as a devout man who feared God with his entire household, who gives alms generously to the poor and prays to God always wait a minute, a Roman soldier who loves the God of Israel. Cornelius didn't fit the mold. He was a gentile who embraced Jewish monotheism but hadn't fully converted. He was respected, yet still an outsider. It's a reminder that God's fingerprints can be found in the hearts we least expect. Also a reminder that not everyone fits super neatly in a defined group. When they would see a Roman centurion, they would assume a lot of things about him. But you all know what people say about assuming, right. We're not supposed to look at what someone's profession is, or or where someone went to school, or who they voted for and automatically decide that we know every single thing about them. People are complicated. People are nuanced. People have depths and pasts and hopes and dreams that we can't see on the surface. The fact that Cornelius is so deep and so nuanced should also remind us that we can't judge a book by its cover. And so let's get into the story. One afternoon, around three pm, Cornelius has a vision. While he's praying, an angel calls him and says that your prayers and alms have come as a memorial before God. The angel instructs him to send for a man named Peter who's staying in Jappa Simon the Tanner. Now, Cornelius doesn't delay. He sends his men to Joppa immediately talk about obedience without hesitation. He doesn't know Peter, but he trusts that God is orchestrating something significant. Meanwhile, Peter is in Joppa praying on a rooftop around noon. He's hungry, perhaps dreaming of a kosher sandwich. When he falls into a trance, he sees a large sheet descending from the heavens, filled with all sorts of animals, reptiles, birds, and a voice tells him rise, Peter, kill and eat, and Peter protests. He says, no, of course not. He probably thinks it's a test of obedience, saying no, Lord, I'm kosher. I promise, I'm kosher. You put these temptations before me. I promise, I'm not going to do this. But the voice responds, what God has cleansed, you must not call common. This exchange happens three times, and Peter's left scratching his head, wondering what it all means. Just then, Cornelius's men arrive and the Holy Spirit tells Peter that he needs to go with them. And when Peter arrives, he finds Cornelius's house packed with relatives in close friends. Cornelius falls at Peter's feet in reverence, but Peter has to lift him up. He says, stand up, I'm just a guy. It's a beautiful moment of humility and mutual respect, and Peter is starting to unpack the layers of what God is trying to show him. Peter addresses the elephants in the room. He says, you know, as a Jewish man, it's unlawful for me to keep company with you, to share a food with you, to share a table with you. But God's starting to show me things. God is starting to show me that what man has called unclean, God maybe wants me to pay attention to. Don't call something common that God has restored. Peter shares the message of Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection, and as he's speaking, the Holy Spirit falls upon all who are listening. The Jewish believers with Peter are astonished to see gentile speaking in tongues and praising God. The lessons are palpable for us. Cornelius was an outsider by all societal standards, yet God saw his heart. We must be careful not to limit who we think God can reach out to or who he can teach us through. Another big theme is that obedience often proceeds understanding both Cornelius and Peter had to act and obey God before fully understanding what's happening. Sometimes obedience means taking the first step without seeing the whole staircase. Listen, we all have our gentiles, people who we consciously are on go consciously exclude from our lives. Maybe it's someone with a different political view, a different background, or a lifestyle that we just don't understand. Acts ten challenges us to break down those barriers for the sake of the gospel. Imagine if Peter it's a sorry, Lord, I don't associate with gentiles, the ripple effect would have been immense. The Gospel might have remained confined, and we wouldn't be here today as beneficiaries of his boundary breaking movement. Acts ten isn't just a historical account. It's a mirror reflecting our own biases and a window into God's expansive heart. It's a caul to step out of our comfort zones and to the wide open spaces of God's grace. So let's ask ourselves, where is God challenging my preconceived notions? Who is the Cornelius in my life that I'm hesitant to engage with? And how can I be a conduit of God's limitless love and a world obsessed with limits? May we, like Peter, be willing to say, in truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality. Let's break down some barriers, expand our tables, and watch how God moves when we align ourselves with his boundless life. 00:28:00 Speaker 2: LUs