“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Acts 5:41.
Peter and John were arrested for proclaiming the name of Jesus in the Temple, which they had been forbidden to do by the religious authorities – although they had been commissioned to do so by God, through the word of an angel. At their hearing, they were set free after being flogged. This is the same type of flogging that Jesus received on the day that He was crucified. It was a brutal penalty that sometimes led to death. These followers counted themselves worthy not because they were alive and set free, but because they had suffered in a similar manner as Jesus. Even more, they suffered because they stood firm as Jesus’ representatives. They had obeyed what they believed to be the word of the Lord, and they suffered as a result of standing firm.
There are times when I look back on my actions and discover that I, so unlike the disciples in this verse, rejoice when nothing happened to me and I escaped from suffering for my faith. There have, also, been a few times when I have complained about the “suffering” that I have received because of my faith. I realize that it is probably not such a good thing to go looking for opportunities to suffer for my faith, yet, when they do come, which they inevitably will, to all followers of Jesus, how will we respond? And then there are the times when we “cave” in and fail to take a stand for our faith when the opportunity presents itself.
Questions to consider: What are your thoughts concerning “suffering disgrace” for Jesus’ name? Have you “caved” in, not taking a stand for your faith in Jesus? What does that feel like when you think back on that time? What did it feel like to take a stand for Jesus?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You so much for taking a stand for us, even when we did not deserve it. Give us strength to stand for You whenever necessary, even if we suffer disgrace as a result. Amen.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
May 22, 2008 - Acts 5:38-39
“’Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’” Acts 5:38-39.
Gamaliel, one of the wisest teachers of the Law in his time, gave the Jewish Council some very balanced advice. Instead of dealing harshly with the leaders of what they perceived to be a cult, just let time take care of the problem. He helped this body of leaders realize that other groups had come and gone, and if this group was like them, they would disappear after a short while. Yet, if God was really behind it, there was not much that they were going to be able to do to stop it. This council was all stirred up before, but Gamaliel, with his wise words, settled them down.
Our world today is not really that much different from the dynamics at work in this meeting. They got stirred up when something came along that threatened their status quo. In my life, I realize that I, too, get stirred up, worrying and fretting, over issues that, often times, I can do very little, if anything, to change. Situations are frequently happening around me that I perceive could threaten my way of life, and I find that my initial reaction is not particularly favorable. Yet, when I take time to reflect on the situation, I often realize that, like Gamaliel’s advice, if it is “of human origin”, it will work its way out, and “if it is from God”, I won’t be able to stop it anyway. Amazingly, within His economy, God allows us to have a say in matters through prayer, yet He will have His way.
Questions to consider: If you were a member of this Jewish Council, how do you suppose you would have responded to Gamaliel? Have you ever found yourself on the wrong side of an issue that turned out to be God’s direction? What was your response?
Prayer: Lord, help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit’s direction, as He blows in and through my life and my world. Help me to humble myself and to slow myself down enough to hear Your heart. Amen.
Gamaliel, one of the wisest teachers of the Law in his time, gave the Jewish Council some very balanced advice. Instead of dealing harshly with the leaders of what they perceived to be a cult, just let time take care of the problem. He helped this body of leaders realize that other groups had come and gone, and if this group was like them, they would disappear after a short while. Yet, if God was really behind it, there was not much that they were going to be able to do to stop it. This council was all stirred up before, but Gamaliel, with his wise words, settled them down.
Our world today is not really that much different from the dynamics at work in this meeting. They got stirred up when something came along that threatened their status quo. In my life, I realize that I, too, get stirred up, worrying and fretting, over issues that, often times, I can do very little, if anything, to change. Situations are frequently happening around me that I perceive could threaten my way of life, and I find that my initial reaction is not particularly favorable. Yet, when I take time to reflect on the situation, I often realize that, like Gamaliel’s advice, if it is “of human origin”, it will work its way out, and “if it is from God”, I won’t be able to stop it anyway. Amazingly, within His economy, God allows us to have a say in matters through prayer, yet He will have His way.
Questions to consider: If you were a member of this Jewish Council, how do you suppose you would have responded to Gamaliel? Have you ever found yourself on the wrong side of an issue that turned out to be God’s direction? What was your response?
Prayer: Lord, help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit’s direction, as He blows in and through my life and my world. Help me to humble myself and to slow myself down enough to hear Your heart. Amen.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
May 15, 2008 - Acts 5:29
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” Acts 5:29.
From the outset, Peter and the others were headed for a clash with the Jewish authorities. The religious leadership in Jerusalem had gathered together to hear the charges against these men and to pass judgment on them. These followers of Jesus had been strictly warned prior to this not to speak in this name, and yet they did not hesitate to do so. Standing before the full Sanhedrin, Peter declared that it was more important that they obey God rather than any man, including this esteemed body. In saying this, Peter must have known that he was positioning himself, as well as the other followers, to be in opposition to these leaders’ authority.
From other writings, we have learned that it was not the disciples’ intentions to oppose the authorities at every turn. In fact, they sought to live at peace, obeying the authorities whenever possible, with the only exception being when God required otherwise. It seems to me that a great deal of balance is required in order to see clearly and understand what it is that God would have you do, especially when it is counter to the authorities, religious or otherwise. It would be so easy for me, justifiably so, to water down such a definitive comment as Peter’s. Maybe if I had an angel come to me, I would be as definite and decisive. Perhaps not! I can only hope that I would stand firm if and when it was required of me.
Questions to consider: When under fire, how firm would you be in obeying God? Even though it may not have had the drama as with Peter, have you ever been under fire for your faith in Jesus? How did you respond?
Prayer: Lord, give me strength and courage to stand firm for You, when I am under fire. Help me to say, as Peter said so long ago, “We must obey God rather than men.” Amen.
From the outset, Peter and the others were headed for a clash with the Jewish authorities. The religious leadership in Jerusalem had gathered together to hear the charges against these men and to pass judgment on them. These followers of Jesus had been strictly warned prior to this not to speak in this name, and yet they did not hesitate to do so. Standing before the full Sanhedrin, Peter declared that it was more important that they obey God rather than any man, including this esteemed body. In saying this, Peter must have known that he was positioning himself, as well as the other followers, to be in opposition to these leaders’ authority.
From other writings, we have learned that it was not the disciples’ intentions to oppose the authorities at every turn. In fact, they sought to live at peace, obeying the authorities whenever possible, with the only exception being when God required otherwise. It seems to me that a great deal of balance is required in order to see clearly and understand what it is that God would have you do, especially when it is counter to the authorities, religious or otherwise. It would be so easy for me, justifiably so, to water down such a definitive comment as Peter’s. Maybe if I had an angel come to me, I would be as definite and decisive. Perhaps not! I can only hope that I would stand firm if and when it was required of me.
Questions to consider: When under fire, how firm would you be in obeying God? Even though it may not have had the drama as with Peter, have you ever been under fire for your faith in Jesus? How did you respond?
Prayer: Lord, give me strength and courage to stand firm for You, when I am under fire. Help me to say, as Peter said so long ago, “We must obey God rather than men.” Amen.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
May 8, 2008 - Acts 5:21b
“When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – and sent to the jail for the apostles.” Acts 5:21b.
This was an important gathering. It was, also, an intimidating gathering. This was an impressive array of the most elite and powerful Jewish leadership of that day. All of the important people within the Jewish community would have been in the Sanhedrin that day to hear the charges brought against Peter and John and to make judgment on their activities. And they “sent to the jail” to bring in the defendants to be tried. The only problem was that these men were not there. They were, at that moment, in the Temple, speaking to anyone who would listen about their Master, who had shown them what life was really all about. Peter and John must have known that it would only be a matter of time before the authorities would arrest them once more, yet they continued to speak out with boldness.
I must admit that, if I had known, as Peter and the others certainly knew, that I was going to be tried in front of such an important and intimidating audience of leaders, I would have been nervous beyond speech. The intimidation factor would have gotten to me. Instead of obeying the angel’s direction to go and speak at the Temple, I might have sought to hide and protect myself from the authorities. Peter, who was just a regular, ordinary person, showed great courage. He showed what we can be like when we are empowered by God’s Spirit. This ordinary man started doing extraordinary things. Instead of running to hide and protect himself, he obeyed and preached in the Temple, knowing full well that the authorities would find him, arrest him, and bring him to trial. He knew it might cost him his life, as it did his Master.
Questions to consider: How intimidated are you of the authorities over you? If you were arrested for the “crime” of being a Christian, would they have enough evidence against you to find you guilty? Would you run and hide, or would you stand up in the “temples” of your world and proclaim Jesus, your Master?
Prayer: Lord, help us to learn from Peter’s simple and clear example. Give us the courage to make good decisions to stand for You whenever necessary and possible, even in front of intimidating crowds. Amen.
This was an important gathering. It was, also, an intimidating gathering. This was an impressive array of the most elite and powerful Jewish leadership of that day. All of the important people within the Jewish community would have been in the Sanhedrin that day to hear the charges brought against Peter and John and to make judgment on their activities. And they “sent to the jail” to bring in the defendants to be tried. The only problem was that these men were not there. They were, at that moment, in the Temple, speaking to anyone who would listen about their Master, who had shown them what life was really all about. Peter and John must have known that it would only be a matter of time before the authorities would arrest them once more, yet they continued to speak out with boldness.
I must admit that, if I had known, as Peter and the others certainly knew, that I was going to be tried in front of such an important and intimidating audience of leaders, I would have been nervous beyond speech. The intimidation factor would have gotten to me. Instead of obeying the angel’s direction to go and speak at the Temple, I might have sought to hide and protect myself from the authorities. Peter, who was just a regular, ordinary person, showed great courage. He showed what we can be like when we are empowered by God’s Spirit. This ordinary man started doing extraordinary things. Instead of running to hide and protect himself, he obeyed and preached in the Temple, knowing full well that the authorities would find him, arrest him, and bring him to trial. He knew it might cost him his life, as it did his Master.
Questions to consider: How intimidated are you of the authorities over you? If you were arrested for the “crime” of being a Christian, would they have enough evidence against you to find you guilty? Would you run and hide, or would you stand up in the “temples” of your world and proclaim Jesus, your Master?
Prayer: Lord, help us to learn from Peter’s simple and clear example. Give us the courage to make good decisions to stand for You whenever necessary and possible, even in front of intimidating crowds. Amen.
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