October 9

Acts 4: 14-31
14 When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16 They said, "What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." 18 So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20 for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old. 23 After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, 25 it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.' 27 For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

We live in an age when there is the freedom to speak about Jesus yet few of us do it. The leaders of the council are confronted with the boldness of Peter and John and the sight of a man who is no longer lame. The evidence of the power of Jesus is standing before them. For the leaders of the council the Jesus problem is still with them and spreading. Their response is to silence the witnesses.

Peter puts the order in perspective. His choice is to obey the council or God. The response to the order is obvious. All in the room know that you obey God. So they are released and keep talking.

We like to boast of our freedom of expression and religion in this country. The fact is that few of us find ourselves giving direct witness to Jesus. Our witness is too is to Jesus, who forgives and who empowers us to serve in his name. Our reputed niceness becomes an excuse to silence and a lack of witness. God does not call us to make up a new story or to answer all of the religious questions of our day. Rather we are called to speak the word of Jesus who is actively forgiving, healing and restore each of us in his church.

Reflection questions:
1. When was the last time you spoke of your faith in Jesus to another person?
2. What are the threats you feel that inhibit your witness?
3. Where in your congregation or community do you see Jesus? How can you give witness to this?