RIGHT TO LISTEN TO GOD OR MAN— YOU JUDGE
RIGHT TO LISTEN TO GOD OR MAN— YOU JUDGE
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 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. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 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. 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. 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. —Acts 4:8-21
Peter & John’s boldness astonished the Jewish leaders. These leaders knew that Peter & John were ordinary men— that is, men that were uneducated. They did not have any formal education. They were much like their Master when it was said of Him— “Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him” (Matthew 13:54-57). Jesus came as an “ordinary Person!” Jesus works through ordinary people. It is when people see themselves above being ordinary that pride enters in and they become focused on what they can do and not what God can do through them.
When Peter & John were told not to speak or teach in the Name of Jesus they responded by saying— “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.” Do we, will we respond the same way? They said, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Is that our heart’s desire as well? Can we also say with the Apostle Paul that “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died?” (II Corinthians 5:12). Does His love compel us to bear witness for Him? If not, then we need to check our priorities! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY
Dear Father may I faithfully tell others about Jesus. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be so!