Acts 4:18-20

^18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ^19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. ^20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Backed into a corner, the rulers and elders and scribes didn’t know what to do with a couple of fishermen who kept on speaking with great power and authority of the great power and authority of Jesus. Once again, the simple will be used to confound the wise. They weren’t educated or trained in religious schools, but they brought forth a beggar, crippled since birth, which many people recognized, vouching for their credentials. The leaders were dumbfounded, leaving them without a response. They couldn’t deny the miracle because he was standing right in front of them. Their best solution? Just tell these two fishermen to be quiet about Jesus.

Peter and John found themselves in the position where they could NOT NOT talk about what they had seen, heard, experienced, witnessed, and lived. They were well aware of the contrasts between God’s kingdom and the earthly kingdom and willfully and daringly chose to yield themselves to the Higher Court and Kingdom of the Living and True God.

(It reflects the stance of Jesus, giving to Caesar what is due him, and giving to God what belongs to God.)

As I seek to live and do what I believe, I must have my eyes open (wide) in order to see how God is at work in me and around me. I need to be ready to give an account of what I see him do. This creates a sense of urgency, accountability, and opportunity to step through open doors to share the love of Jesus with others.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 12th, 2007 at 11:50 pm and is filed under Daily Readings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.