David Bahn – Reflections

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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.

Have you ever blurted out something? Good or bad. Polite or importune. Appropriate or awkward. Sometimes we fail to practice the ministry of holding one’s tongue (Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer). It can have dangerous and destructive consequences. We say things we deeply regret. We offend our friends. We hurt others. We betray a confidence. All to the harm of others and ourselves.

On the other hand, have you failed to speak when you should? Not offered a word to defend someone’s character. Not said stop when you know you should have. Not spoken a word of admonishment or encouragement when you should have. Those sins of omission can have much more lasting and consequential repercussions than we might imagine.

Peter could be guilty on both counts. He once spoke brashly about his stallwort commitment to Jesus compared to his brother disciples. He once failed to speak about his association with Jesus for fear of a slave girl, instead speaking an oath of denial.

But on this occasion Peter speaks boldly. He and John – when threatened not to speak of Jesus anymore – retorted, “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.” (v. 19-20) They were not to be silenced. They had seen and heard Jesus teach and heal. They had seen him on the cross and heard his word of peace. They had witnessed his resurrection and listened to Jesus’ challenging question, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)

We don’t have quite that level of hearing and seeing. But we have heard the Good News of Jesus’ love, grace, salvation, and mercy. We have seen lives changed. We have come to recognize his complete commitment to the salvation of the world and ongoing work in the lives of believers. We’ve seen prayers answered. We’ve heard a word of grace and forgiveness. We’ve knelt at the rail and received his body and blood. We’ve seen the boldness of others who have spoken out in the face of ridicule and threat of worse. Once in a while we see things we cannot ignore. Sometimes we hear words that must be repeated. When that happens, we can join Peter and John and give our witness in our own way.

It may not be the way of Peter’s brashness. It might be the gentler way of John. But let it be the way God works in you, how he has touched your heart, and enlightened your soul. Let it be as real as Jesus’ work in your heart and life.