As this Veterans Day comes to a close, I am reminded of that time when the Gospel officially began to be spread to the Gentiles. Originally, it had a primarily Jewish audience. The time soon came when the Gospel was to be preached beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. The Gospel was to be taken to the Gentiles.
Christ chose a man named Cornelius to receive the Gospel. Peter was directed to go to this man's home and share the Gospel with him. Cornelius was a centurion, an officer in the Roman army. He gladly received the Gospel of Christ. He and his household were saved, and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them.
From the early days of the church, and from the very beginning of the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles, there have been believers chosen by God from the military. In fact, earlier another centurion had come to Jesus to request that his servant be healed. His military experience helped him to understand authority, and the authority that belonged to Christ. Jesus said of him, "I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel."
Jesus calls men and women from all walks of life. On this day, it is good to remember that no matter our profession or our experience, Christ calls us to follow Him. Whether it is in a civilian church or a military chapel, Christ meets and guides those whom He has called.
