Devotion for Ember Day in Whitsun Week, 15 June 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Ember Day in Whitsun Week, 15 June 2011 Anno Domini
“12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” (Acts 5:12-28)
In many ways, God allows us to be His Hands in earth. “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.” If we ever abuse our crown rights, we shall suffer loss in this life, and in the life to come: “and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.).” These Apostles follow, in every point, the example of Christ – even in walking where He walked, and preaching where He preached. They are here gathered on Solomon’s Porch – a place to which Christ also resorted often. “And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.” (John 10:23) And when the unbelievers back away, it clears the approach for those who will truly believe to come forward in faith.
“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. ” Men flocked to here the Apostles and to see wonders wrought at their hands. As is often the case, it was the signs and wonders to which many were drawn (that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them) rather than the marvelous truth of the Gospel preached. Now, it is not possible for Satan to stand idly by while many flock to Christ. He must act to silence the voices of the faithful – ALWAYS! “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees.)” Yes, these Sadducees who taught there was no resurrection from the dead. Here they stand in opposition to a proven fact of which all of Jerusalem is aware: that Christ rose from the dead! “and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” It seems that Satan also practices the “laying on of hands” but to hurt and not heal! Now the Apostles are put in a safe and secure place where their voices will not hurt the sensibilities of these guilty sinners, or are they?
“ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” The Lord will brook no enemies of His Word: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17) If the granite walls of a Tomb cannot hold in the Son of God, neither can prison bars restrain His servants from speaking out. He sends us back to the place of His choosing. “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.” Not delaying for fear, but coming at first light, early in the morning!
“But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.” Poor impotent little toads! No matter their efforts, they cannot frustrate the works of God. They could neither keep Christ in the Tomb with their Roman seals, nor shut the mouths of His Apostles with their steel bars! Do not smile! The same is happening today in our own beloved nation. We have expelled Christ from school, from every public forum, from our textbooks, and from our Judiciary. But the effort is failing as courageous young people are speaking out despite the threats of sanctions.
“Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.” Doubt and suspicion is the food upon which these scoundrels feed. They even doubt reports of their own representatives.
“Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.” So what will you say now, Caiaphas? “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.” The people themselves usually have more sense than those placed in charge over them. No exception with the Temple staff, and no exception with our country today. So all actions must be subdued and carried out with an appearance of harmlessness when murder is the intent.
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?” This account is reminiscent of a sixteenth century event in the Netherlands involving a Mennonite lady named Maeyken Wens who publicly quoted scripture everywhere she went. The Roman church tried to, at first warn, and then stop her, but she persisted. Finally she was burned at the stake. As she was going to the stake, she constantly shouted out the promises of God to all who could hear. The guards then placed a screw through her tongue into the roof of her mouth to silence her. Her sons later sifted through the ashes and found the tongue screw used on their mother. Strangely, we remember the name of Mrs. Maeyken Wens, but not the names of those her tormentors. I believe this holds true with the nature of God in counting names worthy of remembrance. The Sadducees and chief priests further charged the Apostles: “and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” Sorry, we only intended to fill the Whole World with it! And, at last, they accuse the Apostles of bringing to pass the words from their own mouths: “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” (Matt 27:25) And so it is! If they only knew that the blood of Him whom they crucified was sufficient for the covering of their own sins in redemption! But they had hardened their prideful hearts and would not now, or ever, admit wrong. Sound familiar?