SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:27-42
OBSERVATION:
These words of Gamaliel are not only wise, they are prophetic. How else can do you explain the remarkable advance of the message of Jesus. Its hard to imagine a group of followers starting a world-wide faith from a crucified messiah, unless He had really be resurrected and exalted. If it was a hoax or a delusion, its not likely it would have survived. Who would have been willing to suffer like this, and even rejoicing about it, for a hoax?
APPLICATION:
How would I have responded to this kind of pressure? In my own strength, I would have buckled. But Peter and others would have buckled too, in their own strength. But they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. The only way I can have a bold and dynamic witness for the risen Lord is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Do I want this? Do I want to be bold for Christ, even if it means suffering for Him? Am I confident in the message, that it is of God and therefore cannot fail?
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for this story, for reminding me of the power of Your message, and for Your power at work in/through me as Your witness. May I be bold for You! Amen.
If you look at these verses one way you can think how foolish were the apostles…. their story sounds too fantastic to be true!
“God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel”
Yet we can say: How absolutely amazing! What good News! Thank-you Holy Spirit that You opened our eyes to the truth. Please open the whole world’s eyes too…..
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”
This verse has given me a jolt! Do I want/mind/accept to suffer for Jesus? Would I rejoice to be found worthy? Please Lord change my heart to value You more………
The religious leaders of the day did not have the ears nor the eyes to see Christ by the apostles teaching. Those who should know the truth were blinded by their own pride. His Word is a life and death message as Gamaliel put it – if it is the truth it will come to pass. This was also the test of a true and false prophet in the OT times. God continues to raise people to proclaim the Good News so all may hear the Word of Life. Lord, help me also to never stop teaching and telling that Jesus Christ is Way to repentance and forgiveness and Life everlasting! Continue Your work in me Lord by the power of Your Spirit so that I too am a servant of the cross from day to day.
Am I a soldier of the cross,
a follower of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own his cause,
or blush to speak his name?