Written by Paul Lane
The Word
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.”
Acts 5:21-32 (ESV)
Reflection
There is something comical about this story. Our friends, the apostles were arrested for performing signs and wonders. They are put into “public jail” and then an angel breaks them out. The next day the Sadducees go to check on them and no one in the jail knows that they are gone. Just as the news of this reaches the leaders, someone says, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”
Now that’s bold. I wonder if the high priest or one of the elders thought, “wow, they broke out and don’t even give us the respect of running away.” Clearly, these men had no fear of what the Sanhedrin could do to them. Typically, people were afraid of these leaders because they could put them out of the temple. If you were put out of the temple, it meant that you could no longer associate with the faithful. As a result, one could not have opportunities to advance in business or society, given that the people who remained would be obligated to shun you. This was an extremely powerful tool that the Sanhedrin used often. Now here are a group of men for which this tool is ineffective. So, when they say, “We must obey God rather than human beings…” it must have landed like a punch to the stomach for the high priest.
Also, I think we can see that the conscience of the high priest is getting tweaked here when he says, “…you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” But Peter does not deny it. He says, “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.” So, Peter says, yes, you are right, we do intend to hold you accountable for the death of Jesus. Now here’s the interesting part, Peter goes even further by saying that God “…exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” So, the crucifixion of Jesus was not just a murder, or poorly executed government. It was God’s plan all along, to have Jesus crucified and raised from the dead, to bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.”
Application
At times it might seem that living the Christian life is a bit complicated, or more of a struggle than you planned for. Or there may be times that you feel that you have messed up so badly that life is unrecoverable. That is not the case.
During the Apollo 12 mission, astronaut Alan Bean pointed the most expensive camera in history – up to that time – at the Sun and burned out the video pickup tube, rendering the camera completely useless. As one could imagine, Bean felt awful about it; however, there was still a lot left to do in the mission. There was no way to fix the camera during the flight, so the only thing he could do was to say sorry and press ahead with the rest of the mission activities.
Likewise, the Lord has made provision for you. You need to repent, accept forgiveness, and press on with the things that God has planned for you. It is not the Lord’s intent that you live your life trying to pay off debts. He made you in His image, as one who is engaged in the higher calling and the higher purposes. Learn to live your life there.
Prayer
God Is My Strength and Portion Forever
A Psalm of Asaph.
73 Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[Hebrew rock] of my heart and my portion forever.27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.Psalm 73:1-3;23-28 (ESV)
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