Written by Paul Lane
The Word
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.” Acts 10:23-29 (ESV)
13 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:1-2 (ESV)
Reflection
I’m listening to the Odyssey now. Yes, it’s because of the film. This is a great time to learn something about a story that I have heard about all of my life. Now that I have seen the movie, maybe I’ll be able to take in the story better. Today I came across a scene where Odysseus is returning. He arrives on the shore in need of help. He needed clothes, hospitality, and a ride home. According to their culture it was important to show hospitality to strangers, particularly those who were in need, because it could be a god in disguise. In this scene, someone bows down to Odysseus, but he says “stand up, I am only a man myself.”
This scene stuck out to me, because it is the same thing Peter says to Cornelius. In Hebrews 13, we are told that we should show hospitality to strangers because you might be entertaining angels. The logic and wisdom here are so similar. This is something that the author of Hebrews and Homer agree upon, so perhaps there is some enduring wisdom here. In both cases, the writers are trying to teach us how we should interact with each other, knowing that heavenly creatures are about.
This, of course leads us to the C. S. Lewis quote:
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
So, when Cornelius falls down to Peter’s feet, he is mistaken, but only by a little bit. He has come across an immortal being, but not one who should be worshiped. Peter quickly corrects him by denying worship. But the realm in which they are operating does call for their hearts to be turned to worship, for God is doing wonders. But these wonders are not just for show. There is a bigger purpose behind it all. God is working His will into lives of His people, and it is the heart that softens that takes on the deepest imprint.
Application
Is there something in your life that you hold to a higher esteem than you should? Or are there people in your life that should be held to higher esteem. If we are to believe C. S. Lewis, it is most likely that we should work on having a higher regard for people in our lives. Every age has its own unique struggle with this. In previous ages, bravery, long suffering, and honor were held in high esteem, and people were judged accordingly. However, we live in a very comfortable society, so we do not have to be brave often. We suffer long, waiting for the microwave. And we find honor in the most temporary and trendy things imaginable. To the ancients, we must look like incredibly pathetic beings.
However, the things we have mastered today would set them to amazement. The distances we travel in a day, to work and back, would shock them. Our cars and airplanes would appear to them as miracles. The diseases we have cured and the masses we have fed are truly astounding. But we are also captured by our technologies. Who among us has not found ourselves blowing an evening doom scrolling, when we intended on accomplishing something meaningful, or even important. It is amazing how such little devices can overthrow such noble creatures. We are far too easily pleased.
We should look to the ancients to help us learn from their wisdom. But we should also appreciate the things that are in our hands. Let them not be masters over us, and let us remember who is leading us and where He is leading us too. We are being prepared for much grander things than we can see now, so we must learn to put away distractions and press on to the higher things. And the next time you think, “I am only a man myself” remember that being “only a man” is a rather high thing in God’s eyes.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that you teach me to see eternity in my fellow man. Help me to understand the people who are right in front of me. Help me to look past the distractions of technology and self-promotion, and see the eternal nature of the people I interact with on a daily basis. Teach me to be satisfied with the goodness You provide, and not on the empty calories of social media. Hold a place in line for me to minister to those who wait in front of me and behind me. Have Your way with my idle time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Leave a Reply