S - Acts 5:29-39 (NRSV): "But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might 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." When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, "Fellow Israelites consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!" They were convinced by him,"O - Besides loving Peter and Gamaliel and what each of them said, it is very interesting to note that these exchanges reflect truth in culture and history. Peter uses the term "tree" for the Lord's cross; not because it wasn't a cross but because that term uniquely communicated not only the means of death but the scriptural significance of it. It is used to accurately communicate to his "audience." Gamaliel's reference to the recent history of "messiahs" is worth noting in that a messianic type arose from Galilee at the time of the census - when the real Messiah was born. Interesting history. Of course, and very unlike the others, when the real Messiah was killed, God raised him from the dead and here we are 21 centuries later. Using the context of language for the audience and history for illustrations, Gamaliel and Peter find themselves not divided by Jesus but actually united by him. Their conclusions are awesome:
1. God is acting in and through people on planet earth.
2. Obeying God is more important than anything.
3. If our purpose or activities are of human origin, they will fail.
4. God's plans and purposes cannot fail.
5. We all make choices to follow or resist, to work with or against God's will on earth.
A - This is pretty amazing. Clearly at this point it appears that while Peter and Gamaliel do not share the exact same understanding and response to Jesus, they are not divided by His life or name or even his leading in the Apostles. Rather, for at least this season, they are united. Each will have their own opportunity to turn in to what the Lord is doing or to turn out from it. This is the way of the Kingdom which already is and is coming. I need to NOT be so discouraged WHEN (not if) opposition arises. Jesus promised me it surely will. But that opposition does not dictate that all will be polarized away from Jesus. If my activity and purpose is from God then it will not fail. I must rest confident in giving my life to His will on earth as it happens in heaven. His ways are not like mine, but he is near me and calling me to stay near him … and when he is present, EVERYTHING is possible and EVERYTHING will not only work out his way but for good; nothing is too wonderful for him, nothing is too hard for him and nothing is impossible to him who believes.
P - Dear God in heaven above and on earth below,
Thank you for letting me love you back and be in the company of your friends. Thank you for holding every life in hope and possibility of transformation, even my own. Yesterday's opposition caught me by surprise, something which really should not have caught me off guard. Thank you for requiring me to work through the rubric of this event and I repent for failing to love my enemies, for losing heart in well doing, for allowing such discouragement to find a safe harbor in me. Thank you for your patient care and once again I affirm my life's desire to accept your shepherding and to expect it. Lord, I want to be little by being teachable unto change. Please let this work in me this day and every day while it is called today. I am welcoming your promises from afar, turning in to your greatness and nearness and rejoicing whenever I find this opposition as you work everything for good. Please make the way plain for me so I will know I am obeying. I am little and weak on my best day and on my best day see through a dark glass dimly … just as I am I come.
Sanctus Dominus est,
Steve
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