City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.

Acts 4:1–3

Reflection

This is such an exciting and encouraging story. Here, Peter and John are obedient to Jesus and preach the gospel to the people just as Jesus had instructed them.

In response, Jesus prospers them in every way. They are blessed financially, they receive beautiful chariots and homes, and their lives are filled with peace. 

Okay, that’s not really what happened. 

Instead they were thrown in jail in the evening. They sat there the entire night like common criminals. Time probably crept forward as they thought back over their lives and considered what might happen next.

Would they be turned over to the Romans and crucified like Jesus? Would they ever see their friends and families again? It was probably the longest night of their lives.

When the temple guard came for them in the morning, they surely wondered if they were being led away to death, or a brutal beating before being set free. 

This was the cost of obeying Jesus’ command to preach the gospel and make disciples. 

The cost today is not so much. It might mean being labeled a fanatic by friends and family or ostracized by coworkers. Or it might be as little as missing the latest reality television show or sitcom. Sometimes the greatest obstacle to obedience is not persecution, but awkwardness or inconvenience.

In a market where the cost is so low, one would expect supply to be abundant. The cost of obeying the Great Commission is probably cheaper for us than it’s ever been in history. Yet, evangelism is scarce.

Application

We enjoy a level of comfort first century Christians could not have imagined. We benefit from laws protecting public evangelism and prohibiting workplace religious discrimination. We can open a Bible in a Starbucks for no more than the cost of a cup of coffee.

There are free apps for sharing the gospel and YouTube videos teaching evangelism. We can print pamphlets at home for practically free. 

We have little cost and no excuse. And all the while, we are surrounded by a generation desperate for purpose and meaning.

Now imagine if, with all our freedom and resources, we shared the gospel with the boldness and courage of Peter and John. The kingdom grew from 120 to 3,000, to 5,000 in just a few days in the face of fierce opposition, little freedom, and few resources. 

What could God accomplish through us today, if only . . . ?

Prayer

Lord, lead me in opportunities to share the gospel. Amen.