February 24, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Apostles Rejoice in Suffering
Scripture: Acts 5:17-42 (NIV)
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
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. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “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.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Devotional
Not long before this, Peter and John had been jailed overnight, then with threats the religious leaders ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. They boldly replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?” (Acts 4:19).
Here, perhaps even more of the apostles were jailed, then miraculously freed. The religious leaders tracked them down and reminded them of their cease and desist order. Peter and the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29).
Keep in mind that they were appearing before the Sanhedrin, the same religious authorities who condemned Jesus to death only a few months earlier. What do you find in their responses that is empowering, encouraging, challenging, or disheartening to you as you express your faith where you live, work, learn and play?
In the end, the apostles were “rescued” by a respected Pharisee named Gamaliel. Many years later, when Paul was defending his credentials, he said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today” (Acts 22:3). Gamaliel was so respected that the mere mention of his name gave the speaker credibility.
Here in Acts 5, Gamaliel’s speech convinced the group of seventy Pharisees and Sadducees to let the apostles go free, but not before flogging them and restating their command to stop speaking in Jesus’ name. The name of Jesus. The Name. What power it has! What authority it has! What promise it has!
As the apostles walked away with ripped and bleeding backs, they were “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (v. 41). What does the Name of Jesus mean to you?
Prayer
Lord, we know that many of the ministry opportunities Jesus had with other people occurred during the course of a routine day. Likewise, as we live out our ordinary lives, open our eyes that we might see others in a fresh new way. Open our ears to hear the quiet call of someone who is lost and walking a different path. Give us boldness to speak the words given to us by the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the fullness of joy as we seek to honor Jesus Christ before a world by our love.
Poem
Recall
To whom do I listen?
Who will I obey?
Just who will have power
My choices to sway?
The ones who do bully?
The ones in the crowd?
The ones with the power?
The ones shouting loud?
The ones who are angry
Who frighten me most?
The ones who can shame me
In throng, how they boast!
Or the one who breaks prison’s bars
Shackled are free?
The one who brings power-filled
Each to their knee?
The one who speaks whispers
To Spirit filled heart?
The one who can hear each prayer
Uttered in dark?
The one who moves mountains?
Who makes blind ones to see?
The one who gave everything
Just to save me?
To whom do I listen?
Who will I obey?
Just who will have power
My being to sway?
