Acts 5:33-42
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Her full name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. She had a powerful presence. When she walked into the room people noticed. It wasn’t her appearance as much as it was her state of being. She was famous, but diminutive. She spoke quietly, but directly. And people could not dismiss her when she spoke. She didn’t just talk the talk. She lived her faith. You likely knew her as Mother Teresa.
The Jewish leaders were almost entirely the opposite in their demeanor and appearance. They wore long robes with long tassels. Here’s Jesus’ description and warning about these people:
“Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ – Matthew 25:5-7
But their power is limited to intimidation and threat. They have no real power. In fact when it came time to get rid of Jesus all they could do was to convince Pilate and the crowds to execute Jesus. They couldn’t do it themselves.
They are displaying the true signs of weakness. There is a godly weakness, the kind that Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 12, “When I am weak then I am strong.” Theirs was not that kind of weakness. It was the kind that must disguise itself with hubris, arrogance, threat, and show.
I have felt weak at times. I’ve not known what to say in the face of a direct challenge to the faith or a brazen flaunting of God’s ways and commands. I’ve failed to resist temptation and given in to peer pressure when I should not. I’ve struggled to keep faith and trust God fully. These things drive me to the cross of Jesus, and an ever-growing sense of my need for God’s mercy and grace.
But weakness that hides behind bluster and brashness keeps us far from God. And though the bluster and manipulation may work for a while, it will not prevail. God’s true power is readily embraced by those who know and admit that they’re weak. But those who hide their weaknesses behind facades of bravado will experience God’s power when he brings them down from their self-made thrones.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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