Read Acts 4:5-13
Peter and John were imprisoned for telling people about Jesus’ resurrection from death and for healing a lame man. After being in jail over night, they are brought out before the rulers, elders, scribes, the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander and everyone else from the high priest’s family. Can you imagine this company Peter and John were surrounded by? These were the religious elite; men of power and influence to be revered. If you had to stand before them, wouldn’t they make your knees knock? They were probably pretty intimidating.
Notice Peter’s response when asked by them in what name have you done this by?
The Bible does not say if Peter was afraid, trembling with fear, or even worried about the situation, and I don’t think he was because his mind was on Christ. In verses 8-12 it says Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit so the words which proceeded out of his mouth were focused on the issue at hand: He was being judged for doing something good. He healed a man by Jesus’ name and now he stands on trial. Peter laid everything on the table: (I’m paraphrasing) Look, you want to know who’s name we did this, I’ll tell you. Let it be known to you all by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but God raised from the dead, by Him was this man who stands before you made whole again. The stone rejected by you the builders has become the chief cornerstone. In no other name is there salvation.
The religious leaders were amazed at Peter and John’s boldness. They were used to making people quake at their commands. But here’s Peter and John not moving a muscle, not the least bit scare of them, and instead they were bold. It didn’t make sense. They marveled when they noticed these men were uneducated, untrained and had been Jesus Christ.
What made them realize Peter and John had been with Jesus? Could it have been the calm way they responded to the charges against them? Could it have been the way Peter pointed out the leader’s sin and brought it back to Jesus being the only way to salvation? Could it have been the fact Peter healed a man like Jesus had done? Can others see you have been with Jesus?
There are two great take-aways from this section of scripture :
1. Keep our eyes on Jesus
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” No matter what’s going on around us, when we keep our mind on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace. Living our life for an audience of One, is certainly easier than worrying about what others think of us.
2. Follow the leading of Holy Spirit.
Don’t fret over what you should do or say. Listen to what Mark 13:11 NKJV says: “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” God will give us the right words at the right time.
How are you doing? Where’s your focus today? Is it on your problems and circumstance or is it on Jesus? Are you listening to the Spirit’s leading or following your own agenda? We are wise in doing these two things then others will be able to say you’ve been with Jesus.
Lord, thank You for keeping us in perfect peace in our messy circumstances when we keep our mind on You. Enable us to follow Your leading and speak what You tell us. May the world see we have been with You. In Jesus’ name Amen.
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