To be fully HUMAN — A Daily Reflection

 

“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

 

Although the Sanhedrin could not deny what had happened that day, they wanted to put an end to the problem… so they went to confer privately about what to do.  Considering their power, they decided the best course of action was to make Peter and John shut up.  They didn’t want this attitude spreading.  It was a threat to their position and authority.  It was a threat to their very way of life.  They couldn’t have a bunch of people running around proclaiming beliefs that went against everything they stood for!  They had to nip this situation in the bud.  They had to stop things before they got started.  So they ordered Peter and John to stop talking about Jesus… to keep their big mouths shut.  What did Peter say?  He said, "Do you think we ought to obey you or God?  We cannot stop doing what God told us to do.  We cannot stop talking about Jesus."

 

Peter could have quietly said, "Okay, sir.  Whatever you say."  Anything to get away from them… and then he could have secretly continued teaching the gospel.  Or he could have stopped altogether, preferring to stay safe and sound rather than continue to risk his life.  But no matter what, he might have just agreed with the Sanhedrin while in their presence, just for safety’s sake… but he didn’t.  Peter was bold in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, even in the face of death.  He wasn’t going to be a closet Christian.  He fearlessly stood in the most dangerous spot he could stand and refused to bend to the commands of the Sanhedrin.

 

Pray for boldness in your own life.  Pray for the ability to stand in the midst of threatening circumstances and stand up for Jesus.  And don’t worry about what you’re going to say.  Jesus said, "do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  Matthew 10:19-20 NIV

 

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."  Matthew 10:32-33 NIV