Day 991: We must obey God - Acts 5 vs 21 – 33

21-23 Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24-25 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27-28 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.”

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30-32 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. Acts 5:21-33 English Standard Version

Verses 17-18 of this chapter told how the apostles had been thrown into the public prison in Jerusalem because of their preaching about Jesus. But vs 19-20 told us that “during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 'Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.'” Today's verses describe the consternation among the priests and authorities when the officers sent to bring the prisoners to court reported that “the prison was securely locked, the guards were standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside!” What seemed to be the biggest thing the authorities feared? (vs 27-28)

They certainly feared that people would start following Jesus. But I think their bigger fear was that they may indeed have killed an innocent man, and that would bring God's anger upon them. Following the miracles in the days after Pentecost, the apostle Peter said to the Jews: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has glorified His servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.” (Acts 3:13-15) And a little later, after the healing of a lame man, Peter said to their religious leaders: “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by Him this man is standing before you well.” Acts 4:9-10

Those were strong accusations. It took courage to resist the threats the authorities were making on them, and to state what was true. What was it that gave Peter, who'd once denied being a follower of Christ, and the other apostles such courage? (vs 29)

They believed it was better to obey God than to fear man. Perhaps they remembered Jesus' words when He had said: “Don't fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:28-29) And so they again boldly stated that “God raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” It made the authorities even more angry! What happened that day still applies. The days may come when we are faced with similar threats if we stand on the truth Jesus has called us to. And, at such times, we must obey God rather than men.