Devotion for Monday in Whitsunday Week, 13 June 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Monday in Whitsunday Week, 13 June 2011 Anno Domini
“13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. (Acts 4:13-22)
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Boldness goes a good distance in convincing of reasons for believing and acting. If we believe without boldness, we do not believe enough. The Sadducees and Captain of the Temple Guard perceived that these men were common and unlearned. It reminded them of the One whom they had believed they were rid of – the Lord Jesus Christ whom they crucified. But, alas, now they see that same Christ in these two witnesses. They remembered, too, that Christ did not seek out learned theologians to surround Him, but the common men of the land – the fishermen, the tax collectors, and the publicans. It seems to me that Christ chose men to be Apostles whom the churches today would never employ! We have grown far too sophisticated to receive the common and uncredentialled into our midst. I speak, of course, to our great shame and arrogance!
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” ‘Res ipsa loquitur’ – let the facts speak for themselves! When faced with the plain evidence of a miracle, these unrighteous men were speechless. It was abundantly clear that a miracle of healing had occurred, and only God could work such miracles, yet these men did not believe – not because they COULD not, but because they WOULD not. We have many in our midst of the same cut today. If they admit to the fact of God, they must be held to a different standard, a new authority is brought to bear in their lives. This, they cannot abide for they wish to continue to live just as they please.
“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” Please notice that evil people will always resort to political correctness in their dealings. Being far more political than Godly, they seek to act in darkness rather than arouse public sentiment against them. Their intention has not changed at all, only their mode of action. They, too, admit to the miracle, but miracles of God are never so important as pride and power to such men.
“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.” You may do all the works of Christ you wish; however, omit HIS Holy Name! We can endure every religion except that of Christ. How true this is today! “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” We are now even punishing military chaplains for praying in that Holy Name of Christ!
How should the Christian layperson or clergy respond when ordered not to preach or pray in the Name of their Lord? “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” We cannot be duplicitous in our witness. We are soldiers of Christ. We must not only bear our armour for battle, but fly our colors openly. This Banner under which we march must be the most openly displayed in designating our lines on the battlefield. And we never call the colors back to a point of retreat, but move our lines UP to the colors.
“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.” The principle of justice itself never entered the minds of these hypocrites, for justice, in their eyes, was an alien principle to all they held foremost in their hearts. They let Peter and John go, not because of their innocent, but because they could not appease the people by punishing them. When God is strongly present in the hearts of many citizens of a nation, even the wicked among them will be rendered helpless to work their mischief.
“For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.” Natural science also lent testimony to the veracity of the miracle. Being forty years of age, everyone in the vicinity knew the man to be lame from birth. They could be no subterfuge in this miracle, or even a grounds for questioning it. This is the doing of God!