David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

“It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.” So the saying goes – usually with a west Texas twang, maybe spoken by a former Midland or Odessa high school football player. Tough guys, with more true grit than John Wayne. In the case of Peter, John, and the now-healed man, however, it wasn’t bragging and truth; it was boldness and reality. And that brought a conundrum into play for the religious authorities: The disciples were  bold beyond their natural abilities. The healed man was in plain view. All this was done in the name of Jesus. But they wanted to squash the teachings of Jesus. What to do? How to deal with these men and the incessant growth of Jesus’ followers?

Their solution was simple but ineffectual: Peter and John were to cease and desist from speaking in Jesus’ name. In fact the name of Jesus was so odious that Luke quotes their words, “…speak no more in this name” [emphasis added]. They wouldn’t even speak Jesus’ name! Peter and John’s reply was simple and straight-forward:  “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” That’s clarity – a sorely lacking commodity in today’s world.

Politics and too often even religion is filled with word-spinning artful dodgers. Pundits and advisors, consultants and PR gurus will advise “useful ambiguity.” Jesus’ name boldly embraced may cause some uncomfortable moments. But we have heard the Good News and seen Jesus change lives. We have confessed his name in worship. When the time comes the example of Peter and John may well remind and encourage us to be bold and courageous. That’s a gift of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised to send to his followers. Sometimes the evidence of his work simply needs to be embraced.