April 26, 2018 Thursday

“And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: “If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. “This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:5-12 NKJV)

           

            Religious people are often threatened by those who have faith and at times able to do what they cannot on their own.  Like the elders in Israel religious people want to know by what power those who trust in God’s power can do what they cannot.

            What they really mean is how dare you do something we cannot without our permission.  How dare you act under a different authority – even if it is God.  Especially if it is God!  Because religious people are their own authority and are threatened by God and killed Jesus and kill those who follow Him.

            The response of those who follow Jesus is familiar to those who know Jesus – why are you judging us for the good things we are doing?  Like Peter we must remind those who are religious about the power of God that comes through our faith in Jesus. 

            Jesus told the Apostles they would do greater works then He and we see the fruit of that now as Peter and others stood up to the religious ones and declared they had murdered Jesus who is the chief support for all who trust in God.

            Radically the Apostles offered forgiveness and salvation to these who killed Jesus and sought and those who follow Him.  These religious ones who had rejected Jesus even though He is their one hope have ripped out the Foundation God set for them.  Having rejected Jesus they have no hope for them.

            All throughout what we call the Old Testament the promise of the coming of Jesus is the foundation upon which Israel was founded and grew.  But the religious will usually re-interpret the Bible to say what they want and not accept what it says.

            Do you trust in your abilities to be saved?  Do you confess your need for salvation which is available through Jesus?  Having received salvation are you trying to grow in love for Jesus and have a deep relationship?

            Today I have been dizzy headed and felt like I was drunk.  This has happened a few times and I wonder if it is because of the combination and power of my drugs.  I was able to read in 2Kings and some from a Rabbi about the Jewish side of our faith.  It really is amazing.