Acts 5:17-32
But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
These days it seems that certain religious enemies are more than ready to bring the blood of others upon themselves. Whether it’s those who want to impose sharia law on others, or the radical Zionists or Palestinians, there are those who brag about the blood they have shed. Add to that the horrific terror of war, or the enemies of the United States who cry, “Death to America!” There are plenty of folks willing to spill blood or even to brag about the blood they have spilled.
Not the high priests and the other Jewish leaders. They want no part in having caused the death of Jesus. They accuse the apostles of wanting to bring Jesus’ blood upon themselves. This is amazing to me. They dearly desire to be rid of Jesus and the apostle’s teachings about him. They could warn the people, “We brought down Jesus. We put him to death. Be warned! We can do the same to you!”
The irony of the statement is also striking. They need the blood of Jesus to be upon them to have their sins washed away. He shed his blood to free all people from sin, Satan and death. They should be first in line to claim this blessing.
But they want nothing to do with the righteousness of Christ. It is truly an alien righteousness. It’s not ours by birth or life. It must come to us from an outside source. It comes from Jesus.
The only reason they don’t want Jesus’ blood on themselves, is that they have no awareness of their need for forgiveness from him. They are completely unwilling to acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son and Savior. They not only do not think they need him, they also perceive that he is a threat to their world and life.
Would you want Jesus’ blood on you? I certainly do. And I thank God that he died for the sins of the world and rose to justify all who believe in him. Thanks be to God.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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