In Acts 3, we're told of a man in his 40's who was incapable of walking. Each day, he was carried to a gate of the temple in Jerusalem where he would beg passers by for money. Many people considered supporting him and others like him an act of charity that was a good reflection of genuine faith, so he grew used to receiving financial support from others and probably assumed he would do so for the rest of his life.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked them for money as well, but instead of receiving money, he received a miracle. By the power of God, Peter healed the man in the name of Jesus, and the man was not only able to stand, but walk and leap as well. It was obvious to the many people who saw what happened that this was a miracle, especially because this man's previous physical condition was well known to them.
Peter used this opportunity to preach the message of the gospel to those who were in his hearing, and we're told that thousands came to faith in Jesus. We're also told that some of the religious leaders of the day were greatly annoyed that Peter and John continued to proclaim the name of Jesus and teach that not only did Jesus rise from death, but all who trust in Him will experience that same kind of resurrection as well. So they arrested Peter and John and put them into custody until the next day when they could interrogate them further.
As we look at what takes place next, we're going to be shown how these apostles responded when they were told not to proclaim Jesus. Their actions make it obvious that they had defeated their fear of the word "no." How about you? Are you still afraid you'll be told "no" once you start pursuing God's purpose and plan for your life?
I. Spending time with Jesus produces a holy boldness in your life.
““Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” ”
Have you acknowledged to yourself just how much influence other people can have on your life and how much what you do is impacted by those you choose to spend the most time with? A few years ago, I came across a video that was taken of me with I was fifteen years old. I was acting in a skit at summer camp, and I noticed that the way I spoke was highly influenced by the people I hung out with most at the time. The slang I used in that video and the inflection I delivered it with made it very clear who I was spending time around.
Now, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I want it to be obvious to anyone who might examine my life closely that I spend a lot of time with Him. I want people to see that in the way I talk, the way I treat others, the decisions I make, and the steps of faith I'm willing to take.
It was obvious to the religious leaders in first century Jerusalem that Peter and John had spent time with Jesus. They hadn't received the kind of formal schooling these leaders had been through, but because they were directly mentored by Jesus, and were indwelled by the Holy Spirit, they could understand and speak confidently about deeper level spiritual issues that weren't even clear to these traditionally trained leaders.
Spending time with Jesus will make you bold. Spending time with Him will give you a major boost of confidence. Not confidence in yourself necessarily, but confidence in what He can do in and through your life. Peter and John were being threatened by powerful men, but they weren't intimidated by their threats. They were willing to speak boldly about Jesus even through they knew these leaders had the authority to hurt or imprison them.
What kind of impact has spending time with Jesus been having on your life? Are you bolder than you once were? Are you willing to stand up to the threats you may receive from people who don't share the vision, clarity, or conviction the Lord has blessed you with?
II. Some people try to prevent or contain what they don't understand.
“But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus..”
In various places in South America, there are still groups of people who have not had much, or any, contact with the outside world. There's a whole world of technology and innovation they haven't experienced, and there are all kinds of debates raging on whether or not people should attempt to make contact with them or if they should be allowed to live without being disturbed.
The other day, I saw a video of their reactions to a drone flying overhead. They were very disturbed by it, and their men had arrows ready to shoot it down if given the opportunity. I don't fault them for being cautious, but their behavior demonstrated something that seems to be true of most people. When we don't understand something, we usually try to stop it, contain it, or kill it.
This was the dilemma faced by the religious leaders who were trying to figure out what to do with Peter and John. It was clear that the man at the temple had been miraculously healed, and these leaders didn't bother trying to deny that fact. But they didn't understand, and they weren't willing to accept, what was taking place in their midst. They thought they had succeeded in ending the ministry of Jesus when they championed His crucifixion, but now it was clear that the name of Jesus was going to continue to be proclaimed and His power was going to continue to have a miraculous effect on the world.
These leaders could have repented of their unbelief in the midst of such overwhelming evidence, but instead, they doubled down on their disbelief and they attempted to contain the apostles. Peter and John were told in the strictest way possible that they were no longer to speak in the name of Jesus or teach people about Him. I don't know if these leaders thought this would effectively box Peter and John in, but I'm guessing they expected them to obey.
Would you have listened to these leaders if they tried to box you in? Are there people in your life right now who might be trying to prevent or contain the work God wants to do through you? How will you respond? Will you let them hold you back?
III. Don't accept counsel that conflicts with God's revealed will.
“But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.”
Can I confess something to you that probably wouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone? People have pretty strong opinions about what I do or don't do. I was in a meeting the other day where I admitted that I have very simple tastes in food and I'm not someone who feels the need to do a lot of travel. When I admitted that, I'm pretty sure most people in the meeting turned against me. It was all in good fun, but I'm certain they disagreed with my lack of interest in many foods and most destinations.
That was a small issue that was mostly comical in nature, but in recent years the Lord has been teaching me something about myself that I'm starting to embrace more and more. He's been showing me that I can go to bed in peace as long as I'm confident I'm living in the center of His will and making decisions that are obedient to Him, even if those decisions aren't popular.
That will also get put to the test in your life if you ever choose to answer the calling to become a pastor or the leader of any group of people. You will be forced to make decisions that some people will love and others will disagree with. And sometimes, those who disagree with you might attack you, threaten you, or attempt to demean you to others. But if you're able to take an honest assessment of your actions and say without reservation that you are listening to the direction of God and making your decisions accordingly, I think you'll sleep just fine.
That's exactly what I think was going on in the minds and hearts of Peter and John when they were being threatened by their opposition. The religious leaders in Jerusalem wanted the apostles to listen to their will, not the will of God. But Peter and John demonstrated the depth of their allegiance to Christ when they said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge," They were saying that they had no intention to accept counsel from anyone who tried to persuade them to disobey God's leading. They weren't afraid of the "no" they were receiving from the religious leaders because God had already made His "yes" abundantly clear to them.
Don't fear the "no" you might hear from those who don't understand your calling or share your faith in Jesus. Don't accept counsel that conflicts with God's will. Press forward, take bold action, give yourself a sneaky little smile in the mirror when you're brushing your teeth at night before bed, then sleep soundly knowing you obeyed God today.
IV. Pray for power and opportunity to do what God has called you to do.
“ “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.””
After Peter and John met with these leaders and responded to their threats, they were released and permitted to leave. They took the opportunity to meet together with their friends and let them know what happened, then they prayed for the Lord to empower them with even more boldness when future threats and opposition might come.
Are we praying for the power of Jesus and the opportunity to serve Him like these men were doing? The opportunity to serve Jesus is granted in nearly every vocation and location. It can be demonstrated in every industry and community, and there will be people who respond with favor toward it, while others respond with disdain, but that's just the way it is.
Instead of being afraid of being told "no" from people who don't share our faith or convictions, let's be afraid of spending decades of our life in mediocrity and inaction because we'd rather pacify our opposition than shake things up in a Christ-honoring manner.
© John Stange, 2021
