At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. (Acts 10:1-2 NIV)
In Luke 11:9, Jesus said that those who seek would find what they sought. And I believe this story of Cornelius is an example of that.
Cornelius was a Roman centurion who had been stationed in Caesarea, a city in Judea. His background is unknown, but it probably involved the worship of the Roman gods. Until he came to Judea.
While stationed in Judea, Cornelius would have been exposed to the Jewish worship of God. And in this passage, he is described as a God-fearer. This term describes Gentile proselytes to Judaism who had not been circumcised. He is also described as devout, giving generously to those in need, and praying regularly.
Cornelius had a heart that was seeking God. And the rest of this chapter describes God’s response to his seeking. God arranged for Peter to overcome his bias against Gentiles and go to Cornelius, sharing with him the gospel. And as a result, Cornelius and his family came to know the Lord. He found what he had been seeking.
How many other people around the world are seeking? And how many of them are around you? Turning away from the gods of this world and seeking the God revealed in the creation, or in the lives of faithful believers. Jesus promised that those who sought would find. Are you willing to be used by God in helping those seekers find what they are searching for and come to faith in our Lord Jesus?
