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.