You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil for God was with him. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.


Acts 10:36-38


Peter reminds Cornelius about Jesus. He had gone around doing good and healing people who were sick. This wasn’t new news to Cornelius. In that time, in that area of the world, everyone at least knew about Jesus. They knew about him because he was incredibly popular with the crowds. People were drawn to Jesus’ preaching and teaching.


Cornelius knew about Jesus. He probably thought Jesus was a good guy and was sad to hear that he had been crucified. But lots of people in that time were crucified. Tens of thousands of people were crucified by the Romans. If Jesus is just a good person, then that attitude makes a great deal of sense. But Jesus did not stay dead. He rose from the dead. If God can raise his son from the dead, then he can make you brand new.


Thank God today that Jesus’ resurrection means that you can be made new.