Acts 4:1-22 Peter and John Before the Council

The healing of the lame beggar was an indisputable sign from God. There were people who witnessed the healing. There were people who knew firsthand the beggar, who was over forty years old, and his condition. Though many people came to Christ as a result of the miracle (estimated 5,000), some still opposed the message. The priests and the Sadducees were annoyed with the preaching for different reasons. The priests opposed it because they didn't believe in Jesus as the Son of God. The Sadducees opposed it because they did not believe in the resurrection and did not like the proclamation that Jesus had resurrected from the dead. No matter how powerful a sign God may perform in our midst, there will be opposition.

Peter and John, after being arrested, were questioned about their good deed. The officials asked by what power they had performed it. Peter, filled with the Spirit answers that it was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Now, this is what I call courage and boldness! Knowing that he was arrested by people who hate Jesus and the resurrection, Peter still pounds, without fear, the truth in their faces. This is the kind of courage and boldness I need in this world to make known the message of the kingdom of God.

The message of the kingdom is clear. Jesus Christ is the one killed and resurrected; the stone they rejected and God made him the cornerstone; the salvation of the world. For there is no other name in which we must be saved. Peter not only demonstrated courage and boldness in preaching Jesus' name and his resurrection, but he makes the claim that Jesus is the exclusive savior - there is no other. We think that a message of exclusivity is not accepted today, but in those days, there were many religions and some pagan religions had many gods. To make a claim of exclusivity was counter-cultural, even daring. The gospel of the kingdom does not have room for polytheism (many gods) or syncretism (mix of religions). I need to make a decision about Jesus: Is he or is he not the Savior of the world? If he is, I must proclaim him as the exclusive savior with resolve and unapologetically.

The Spirit of God takes uneducated, common people and transforms them into true witnesses to the world. People who are determined to speak the name of Jesus no matter the cost. Even under threat to speak to no one, they were more concerned with God's perspective - "whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you." What they had witnessed was so life-changing that they could not be silent - "for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Have I truly experienced the saving power of Jesus in my life? If I have, what is holding me back from sharing the greatest thing that has happened in my life? If I fear something, it means I am not filled of the Holy Spirit. I need his fullness today, every day!

Father, send your Spirit and fill me up. May I boldly proclaim the name of your Son Jesus no matter the opposition. Grant me courage and boldness. Amen.

Matthew 16:1-12 The Pharisees and Sadducees

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two different Jewish parties who were at odds with each other, but join forces against Jesus and his ministry. The Pharisees were a fellowship of laymen who followed strictly many extra-scriptural traditions to live up to the law. The Sadducees were more of an aristocratic group well connected with the Temple priests and the Roman government who did not believe in the resurrection of the body among other things.

Jesus accuses both parties of being able to tell the weather by reading the appearance of the sky, but not being able to interpret the signs of the times. The signs of the times refer to the prophecies that foretell the coming of the Messiah. The Pharisees and Sadducees were dull in their spiritual discernment and were not able to understand that the events taking place (healings, feedings, exorcisms, etc.) demonstrated that Jesus is the Messiah to come.

Jesus compared the teachings of both parties to leaven. Leaven is used here to connote something negative. In the OT leaven was prohibited during the Feast of unleavened bread right before the Passover. Leaven is a substance, usually yeast, used to ferment bread and make it rise. It usually represents sin - as yeast ferments the pure and original dough, bad teaching spoils the pure and original teachings of the Law. I need to be on my toes when it comes to doctrinal teaching to ensure that I know how to distinguish the real thing from false teachings.

Unfortunately, the disciples did not understand what Jesus was teaching and took the leaven reference literally and started to worry about bread. It took some prodding from Jesus to get them to understand what he was really saying. I wonder how many times my spiritual discernment is not all there and I miss what the Lord is really trying to tell me. Am I dull to the prodding of the Spirit? 

Father, grant me discernment to know the truth from false doctrine. Help me be sensitive to the sign of the times in my own time. Fill me with your Spirit so I may respond to your guidance every day of my life. Do not abandon me in my spiritual stupor and dullness.