Unashamed and unafraid

“But Peter and John spoke right back, 'Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.'” Acts 4:19, The Message

“It was such a short time ago that in Caiaphas' own courtyard Peter had denied knowing Jesus at all. Now, in the broadest daylight, he courageously confesses that he cannot help himself. He must speak about all the things he has heard and seen. He will not refrain from speaking Jesus' name. How could he? Only Luke told us about Jesus' prayer for Peter, that he would turn and strengthen his brothers (22:31-32). Here Luke presents the wonderful answer to that prayer.” A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter by Michael Card, p. 144

This past week in my devotional Bible reading I have been walking through Acts 4. It is the continuing story of what had begun in Acts 3 – how on a certain day, at three o'clock in the afternoon when all good sons of Abraham made their way to the Temple to pray, Peter and John had come across a lame beggar whom everyone knew and in a matter of moments a miracle had occurred. When the beggar had reached out his hand in hopes of collecting a few coins from those entering the Temple to pray, Peter, led by the Holy Spirit had given him something of far greater worth – the name of Jesus – and by faith in that name the lame man “was made strong” and experienced a “complete healing” (Acts 3:16, NIV). At the conclusion of chapter 2, Luke had made an observational gloss about the atmosphere of the early Church, how “everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” (2:43). And then Luke offers the lame man's healing in chapter 3 as Exhibit A. As it was explained to me recently, it was customary for devout Jewish men to stand as they prayed. Here, for the first time in his life, this once-lame man bounded his into the Temple courtyards and was able to join in the corporate prayers of his countrymen. 

 

Understandably, a crowd gathers to see this amazing site and soon after the Temple police and a cadre of priests show up and see and hear Peter preaching away uninhibited by their presence and unashamed of his Lord who by one touch had demonstrated his power and kindness to a lame beggar. With a nod of the high priest's head, the captain of the guard marches Peter and John off to jail to cool their heels and be put on ice for the night. Perhaps the religious leaders are hoping a night in the hoosegow will put them in a properly contrite mood by the time they have to give an account for their words and actions the next day in court. Luke doesn't tell us now Peter and John spent the night but if you ask me, I think before he fell into a fitful sleep Peter reveled in the fact that unlike the last time he had been in the high priest's courtyard a few months before, this time he did not flinch. He did not cower when the priests and their entourage of handlers showed up aghast that he would dare testify about the man they thought they were through with. I think that night he and John both reminded themselves of the words the Lord had shared with they and their companions during the last week of his life:

“...they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors,and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” (Luke 21:12-15, NIV)

My guess is they lay down in their cell that night confident and curious - confident that the words would come and curious how their words would play out before the tribunal.

I love the juxtaposition Luke portrays between the sheer arrogance of the ruling religious elite and the humble and yet courageous demeanor of these two “unschooled” men who “had been with Jesus.” When they ask, “Who gave you the right to heal this man?” they are not prepared for what they are about to hear. Maybe they think sitting in their luxurious robes and sitting in their impressive chairs while scowling their disapproval at them, the duo will cave and apologize for causing a scene in the Temple courtyard. But no, Peter will not defend himself. On the contrary, he goes on the offensive calling them to account for their scheming and plotting that led to the murder of Jesus Christ.

“By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.” (4:10-12, Msg)

What preacher wouldn't love to be able to claim to have spoken so if ever called upon the carpet? This is something epic, one humble and ordinary man standing before the “who's who” of Israel and laying at their feet their heinous crime, like Mr. Smith in climatic scene on the floor of the House of Representatives in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. And when he has spoken his peace, they are speechless. What can they say? Here is the former lame man healed and before them is the man who had pronounced the name of Jesus over him. They are taken from the court so that the members of the council can confer and determine sentencing but reality is there is no crime to charge them with. And nervous because of the mood of the people whom they fear will riot if they do not release these men, they determine to let them go.

A warning will suffice, they figure. Put a little fear into their bones. But when they warn them to never let them catch them again teaching in the name of Jesus, Peter does not flinch a wit: “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.” (4:20, Msg) And much to the crowd's and the church's great delight, they release Peter and John who exit the courtroom with their heads held high and no doubt smiling at the victory that the Lord had just accomplished through them. 

 

I want to be like Jefferson Smith, too...

Every disciple worth his salt hopes that when called upon they will be as fearless as Peter sounds in this passage. As I travel to Africa next week, I am not going off to Muslim lands nor to any places that I am aware of that are antagonistic to the gospel. Still I pray that if the opportunity arises and if called upon I will be as bold as these young lions and unashamed of my Lord who has done so much for me. I'm not likely to be called on the carpet like Peter and John any time soon whether there or here. However, while sitting next to someone on the plane or ministering to someone at the Jinja hospital I may be called upon to testify to the power and presence of the resurrected Lord who is able to heal and save like no other. May the Holy Spirit who filled Peter fill me! 

Me in my own resolve and strength

Me filled with the Holy Spirit