March 4. Acts 5. Brian Hodges

Obey God and Do Great Things

Can you imagine being arrested and thrown into jail for sharing about Jesus? This is not a problem that we have in America. However, disciples in other parts of the world are not as fortunate.

In the early church, the disciples were thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus and performing “many signs and wonders” (Acts 5:12). However, an angel of the Lord let them out of jail and told them to “tell the people all about this new life” (Acts 5:20). It was a clear direction and many of us would do so, but would we pause and worry about being thrown in jail again?

But the apostles did as they were told. And while Gamaliel spared them the death penalty, the disciples were still flogged. Yet despite the flogging, they were encouraged. Yes, you read that correctly. The disciples rejoiced, “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41). That is inspiring and is having the proper perspective.

Gamaliel brought perspective to the Sanhedrin, but also something we should consider. He said, “if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God” (Acts 5:38-39). We should ask ourselves, “are we doing this for ourselves, or are we doing it for God?” If it is not the latter, we could find ourselves “fighting against God.”

Yet, if our actions are for God, we can do great things. Word about the apostles spread, and “people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by” (Acts 5:15). Let’s be known for how we serve God, so that others want to come see.

Ultimately, the disciples, even when threatened, jailed, and flogged, knew that “We must obey God rather than human beings” (Acts 5:29), and if we do, we will “do even greater things” (John 14:12). – AMEN