Who Are You Choosing to Obey?
“Are you ready for the time when you will have to stand up to the world?”
Acts 5:12-18, 27-33 (NIV)
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
Reflection
Do not pray for the sick. Do not preach the Word of God. Do not mention Jesus.
The most famous quadriplegic in the city had been placed in the most lucrative begging spot, where the people went to pray. Everyone knew about him and of his plight. When he got up and walked, the apostles were told to keep quiet about it.
These were the orders of the politicians and high priests of the time. They were filled with jealousy and feared losing their authority. Killing Jesus didn’t stop things. The apostles were becoming well liked and people were sick of religious traditions and legalism. Over and over the apostles shared the message of grace and eternal life, speaking with authority from God. This certainly caused the Sadducees to cringe. Nothing can stop the work of the Lord, though, and the apostles continued to communicate truth. They were flawed but brave people willing to stand up to bullies and speak life into others. This is our calling, too.
We, as believers, are accountable for our actions even when following the orders of man. The oath we take is not to obey all orders, though. We are to first obey God. Sometimes we don’t have the time to calmly deliberate. Sometimes we must quickly act in faith. To live out every single command Jesus taught won’t be easy. We will have troubles, but our reward is so much greater!
The world we live in today is full of modern day Saducees. We are called to stand up to it, obey God, and share the Gospel. Are you ready for the time when you will have to stand up to the world? The Holy Spirit works in and through us, and when we listen and obey, we bear witness to His truths. Obedience to God will always be greater than any obedience to men!
Action Steps
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that You continually search my heart and remove those parts that obey people over You. Give me strength to share my testimony even when I’m scared or unsure. Remind me of my purpose and that my reward is everlasting life with You. I thank You for Your gifts in my life. Help me to use them to live in such a way that glorifies You. Help me bring others to You by standing up to the world and demonstrating what it means to truly follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
Reflection
Do not pray for the sick. Do not preach the Word of God. Do not mention Jesus.
The most famous quadriplegic in the city had been placed in the most lucrative begging spot, where the people went to pray. Everyone knew about him and of his plight. When he got up and walked, the apostles were told to keep quiet about it.
These were the orders of the politicians and high priests of the time. They were filled with jealousy and feared losing their authority. Killing Jesus didn’t stop things. The apostles were becoming well liked and people were sick of religious traditions and legalism. Over and over the apostles shared the message of grace and eternal life, speaking with authority from God. This certainly caused the Sadducees to cringe. Nothing can stop the work of the Lord, though, and the apostles continued to communicate truth. They were flawed but brave people willing to stand up to bullies and speak life into others. This is our calling, too.
We, as believers, are accountable for our actions even when following the orders of man. The oath we take is not to obey all orders, though. We are to first obey God. Sometimes we don’t have the time to calmly deliberate. Sometimes we must quickly act in faith. To live out every single command Jesus taught won’t be easy. We will have troubles, but our reward is so much greater!
The world we live in today is full of modern day Saducees. We are called to stand up to it, obey God, and share the Gospel. Are you ready for the time when you will have to stand up to the world? The Holy Spirit works in and through us, and when we listen and obey, we bear witness to His truths. Obedience to God will always be greater than any obedience to men!
Action Steps
- If God can forgive those who killed His own Son unjustly and without provocation, imagine how much He forgives us. If you have the Son, you have life. Thank God for His forgiveness and journal what it means to you.
- Contemplate Matthew 5:15: Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. How do you think this verse relates to today’s reading?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that You continually search my heart and remove those parts that obey people over You. Give me strength to share my testimony even when I’m scared or unsure. Remind me of my purpose and that my reward is everlasting life with You. I thank You for Your gifts in my life. Help me to use them to live in such a way that glorifies You. Help me bring others to You by standing up to the world and demonstrating what it means to truly follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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