We had safe bus runs to and from even in the bitter cold. Thank You, Father, for keeping us safe – bus drivers, parents, kids, teachers, and all.

Acts 4:13-22 (<<click here to read the passage)

I cannot say that it has ever happened to me, but I have seen movies where it has happened. And I am sure that there have been people through the ages that though they by everyone else’s assessment didn’t amount to a whole lot, had laid low the educated and mighty before them with simple yet profound statements.

The closing sentence in yesterday’s post was that Peter’s sermonette had left his audience speechless. There Peter and John stood – just the very minimal amount of education, plain and simple fishermen of all things – and they found themselves before this mighty group of men – leaders, educators, and well educated themselves. At least in their small corner of the world, they held great power and anyone in their right mind wouldn’t think of challenging them, much less calling them on the carpet for who they were and what they had done. But that’s exactly what Peter did!

Peter laid them out and left them with their mouths agape! These most learned men stood there astounded and befuddled! With the evidence of Peter and John’s miraculous act standing right there among them (literally!), there was nothing the council could say. So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves. vs14b-15 NLT

They were the power players in this scenario (at least they thought so), and they were the ones who had to step back and figure out what in the world they were going to do! They couldn’t deny what had happened – many faithful Jews had seen it take place and the word was spreading like wildfire through all of Jerusalem. All they could come up with was damage control and to put their best bullying foot forward, they commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. v18 NLT

But much to their chagrin, Peter nor John were bothered one iota at their empty threats and gestures. Their retort?

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves]; for we, on our part, cannot stop telling [people] about what we have seen and heard.” vs20-21 AMP

Can’t you see them standing there all flustered? They were at a total loss! They couldn’t punish them. I mean really, for the healing of a man who had been lame for more than 40 years? v22 They would’ve had a riot on their hands for sure.

God was at work and whether the religious elite acknowledged it made it no less true. As we continue in the days ahead God’s elect surely felt God’s hand at work among them and rejoiced!

Jan 26th, 2022, Wed, 7:55 pm