Proclaiming Jesus

Acts 5:17-32; 40-42 (NLT)

The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
 
So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.
 
When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”
 
When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”
 
The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
 
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
 
The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
 
The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.  And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”


Reflection
 
For an Ohioan, traveling west is an opportunity of a lifetime. I am fortunate to have made that journey multiple times now, and each time the trip has etched impressive memories in my mind. I have seen, heard, smelled, touched, and experienced things that my child self would never have imagined possible. Sunsets over canyons. Mountains touching clouds. The wildest wildlife. Skies blanketed with stars. What was once just theory for me came to life the moment I got to experience it. I had heard and read about many of these well-known marvels of the West, but no longer were they simply stories to be heard or facts on a page. They had become my reality.

Like the splendor of the West was for me, the splendor of the Messiah was for the Jews during the time of Jesus. Up until this time, He had only been theory to them. Stories passed along. Facts on a page. Jews had heard and read about the Messiah, but the moment Jesus actually stepped into their lives, their lives began to change. A man who claimed to be the Savior of the world suddenly stood before them, performing miraculous acts and speaking as if He were the very voice of God. Even for those blessed to be closest to Him, namely His disciples, what was unfolding each day in His presence seemed too fantastic to be grasped. What seemed even more unfathomable was what Jesus was promising would happen in and through them after He was long gone.

One man in particular who Jesus promised to use was a man named Peter. If you knew nothing else about the story of Peter and his transformation under the tutelage of Jesus, you might assume that Peter was always a man of great eloquence, boldness, and faith. He was not, however, always this man. In fact, he was once far from it. The transformation in Peter’s life came as the direct result of Peter’s firsthand experience with the Messiah. Peter heard Jesus’ teachings, witnessed His miraculous power, and was gifted the promised Helper, the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of the living God. These experiences fueled Peter’s faith and the faith of the other disciples. No longer were these promises just stories from scripture or facts on a page. Jesus became their reality. And that made all the difference.

The same can be true for us today. Once we experience Jesus firsthand, we can’t help but proclaim Him King. Today, let Jesus become your reality, too.


Action Steps
 
Personalize these passages from Acts today. Reread them and place yourself in the shoes of Peter and the disciples. Imagine yourself in a similar situation, maybe a modern-day version of this story. As you ponder this scenario, consider your faith in Jesus. Consider the reality of what you know to be true of Jesus and His faithfulness, the truths that were once theory and are now your firm foundation. Consider what steps of faith you are feeling called to take that might solidify this reality even more.


Prayer
 
Jesus, thank You for all that has been written about You in Your word, all that I have heard, all that I believe to be true. Your love for me, Your power at work within me, these are no longer just “facts” I know about You; they have become the reality of my life. Like Peter, Jesus, I desire a faith that chooses to willingly follow You, serve You, and love You every day of my life. I believe You are the Messiah and that You are for me. Help me to live my life in a way that reflects my confidence in these truths. Amen.