Prisoners and Power

Our reading from Acts today continues the story from last week. You will remember that Peter and John, while entering the temple, healed a lame man. While the people in the temple who knew him to be lame were astonished and listened to what Peter had to say, (Luke tells us about 5,000 believed) the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were annoyed and arrested them. That is where our story begins. It is another chance for Peter and John to witness to others about the saving work of Jesus. Although, this time the crowd is not receptive to the message. Luke tells us later, in the text we have not read, that they were surprised at the boldness of Peter and John even though they were uneducated. Having nothing to say in opposition to them since all who saw the man healed praised God for it, they released them ordering them to cease talking about Jesus. Peter and John disobeyed those orders and kept preaching Jesus’ salvation. 

Peter and John certainly had changed much in the few weeks after the resurrection. They went from being huddled up in a room for fear to boldness of speech and action. Even under the threat of imprisonment and death they continued to proclaim Jesus. Note that Luke spends more time on the words of the apostles than on the actual event. When they are asked who gave them the authority to heal the lame man they point to him (was he arrested with Peter and John also?) and they talk of Jesus with boldness. It is the same message they gave in the temple. This man was healed by the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom they crucified – the cornerstone they had rejected. This time the message flopped. No takers among the authorities. They knew where true power was and it was not from uneducated men. 

Peter and John stood in the face of death and proclaimed Jesus. They were able to do so because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Now it is our turn. You are filled by the Holy Spirit and, like Peter and John, called you to proclaim Jesus. But you do not do it alone. Jesus, the good shepherd, walks with you. He takes you to still waters when needed. He sends you into dangerous situations, even those that threaten death, and calls you to proclaim Jesus even to your enemies. Accept your gift. Let the Holy Spirit guide your life and teach you how to share God’s love. Walk with Jesus.