The story is found in Chapter 10 of Acts. Peter is arriving at Cornelius's home after receiving a vision from God that indicates that God's love is for all mankind. There are no social boundaries. And, after being sent for Peter set out for Caesarea. Upon arriving "Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself"" (vs. 25,26). When Peter went inside he saw a large gathering of Gentiles and asked why he was sent for. Then Cornelius explained how his prayers were met by a visitation from an Angel that told him to send for Peter. (vs 30-32). Then in verse 33 it says, "So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
What an amazing story! I want to look at it from two separate angles. First, let us look at the anticipation of Cornelius and those that were gathered... Do you have this sort of anticipation? Do you hold those that teach and encourage you in high regard? When Cornelius met Peter face to face he fell at his feet in reverence. Why would he do such a thing? Why was he inclined to decline? Why would he literally fall at someones feet? Cornelius was a centurion, a man in high standing that knew what it meant to be honored and obeyed. So, why would he do the complete opposite in the presence of a mere fisherman from Galilee? The answer is that Cornelius and those gathered with him were anticipating the Words of God to be brought to them through this vessel... through Peter. So, in anticipation of what God was going to speak and at the arrival of the messenger humility poured forth in the expression of reverence. "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news!" (Romans 10:15, cf. Isaiah 52:7). There is a respect for the messenger but not solely on the basis of his good looks or his reputation. No it is on the basis of his message. He is a receptacle delivering a treasure. (2 Cor. 4) So they were eager to hear everything that God was going to speak through him to them.
Do you have that sort of respect or admiration for the messenger and more importantly the message? Do you eagerly look forward to the times when the messenger pours the treasure of surpassing greatness out on you? Do you look forward to church? When the Word of God is opened and explained making things clear so that the people can understand (Neh. 8:8). When a passage of Scripture is the basis of teaching the good news of Jesus (Acts 8:35). Do you look forward to church with and anticipation of hearing from God?
Do you pray for the messenger? Do you lift up in prayer those that teach you and hold them in high regard? Do you put expectations on them to do things other than carefully sit in the counsel of God to recieve the message and faithfully deliver that message? Many church goers think that their pastors should be a 'jack-of-all-trades' and that they should be able to come up with a message from God in hurry but what is really important is that they jump at every 'beck-and-call' of the congregation. "Attend these events and accomplish these tasks" they say, "after all, what are we paying you for?" So, the message loses its place as supreme and is replaced with lots of other seemingly good things. Let us pray for our spiritual leaders to sit un-distracted on the mountain of the Lord. Let us pray that they would descend and speak to us with radiating faces and a message that makes us terrified of the Almighty (Exodus 19,20). A message that helps us to be the community of God (1 Peter 2:9).
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