David Bahn – Reflections

A neighbor has a Trump 24 sign in his front yard. I’m not necessarily a fan, but I’m also not offended by his sign. Please don’t get sidetracked here; this is not about Trump, politics, or even yard signs. I want to think with you about our testimony. Are we willing to speak out about our faith in Jesus, or better yet, about Jesus himself and his resurrection and gift of eternal, abundant life? Are we willing to let it be known that we desire to convert others to faith in Jesus?

They say you should never talk about politics or religion. It’s interesting to me that these two topics are so emotionally-charged. After the January 6 events in Washington, DC, people de-friended people on Facebook, posted pro and con comments about the goings-on, and otherwise were willing to come out publicly and strongly with their opinions. It was such a hot-button topic. It mattered to so many people. It was current news. The media coverage nearly blocked out the sun.

The news of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is 2000 years old. There is no media coverage of the regular, weekly gatherings and rallies commemorating and celebrating that event. Even though millions of people world-wide stake their eternity on its veracity, it garners little comment. There is nowhere as much controversy about this event as there ought to be. This is a big deal!

Peter and John, and these new believers thought it was a big deal. They talked about it publicly and boldly. They made the claim that Jesus had risen from the dead. There are two-fold implications to this fact. Those who had put Jesus to death were wrong in every sense of the term. They were wrong in thinking they had gotten rid of Jesus. They were wrong in thinking it was right to put Jesus to death. They were wrong in thinking that they were doing God’s will in all that.

More importantly, Jesus’ resurrection proved that he was God’s true servant, our Savior, and the One (and only) who conquered sin, Satan, and death. Through him we are forgiven of all our sins. Through him we have the gift of eternal life.

This isn’t actually a matter of religion. It is a matter of faith. It’s worth being bold in our witness, whether in the face of persecution and controversy or as you celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with other believers.

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Acts 4:23-37

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— ²⁵ you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?
    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
²⁶ The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
    the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
    and against his Messiah.’

²⁷ “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. ²⁸ But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. ²⁹ And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

³² All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

³⁶ For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. ³⁷ He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

I hesitate to suggest that Martin Luther, the 16th Century German Monk turned Reformer, was deficient in any of his theological work. And I love how he expresses the work of the Holy Spirit as, calling, people to faith, gathering the faithful in worship, enlightening people with his gifts, sanctifying and keeping us in the true faith. But there is one omission in his list – at least in this one. Perhaps he speaks of it in other places. But not here in his explanation to the third article of the Apostle’s Creed.

The Holy Spirit propels God’s people in mission. He emboldens our witness. He moves us to seek and save the lost. Jesus promised that his followers would receive the Holy Spirit, and by the Holy Spirit’s power be his witnesses throughout the world. He gave the Holy Spirit to his disciples on Easter Sunday when he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). He gave his people the authority to forgive and retain sins. All this is Holy Spirit work.

Someone once said that Luther’s explanation of the third article of the Creed is the most beautiful sentence ever.

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

This is most certainly true.

Without the work of the Holy Spirit the work of preaching the word – weakly or boldly – would be for naught. But without the work of the Holy Spirit to propel God’s mission we would never hear of Jesus, we would be lost in our sins.

I love to speak about the fullness of God’s grace. Not only did he send his Son to die for the sins of the world. He also sent the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith. From beginning to end, our salvation is a gift of God’s grace. But God’s grace does not end there. In order that we may hear this word, and so that more people may be brought to faith in Jesus and receive the gift of eternal life, God sends his Holy Spirit who sends men and women to witness and proclaim God’s word of grace. Yes, grace abounds!

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Acts 4:23-37

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— ²⁵ you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?
    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
²⁶ The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
    the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
    and against his Messiah.’

²⁷ “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. ²⁸ But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. ²⁹ And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

³² All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

³⁶ For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. ³⁷ He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

There is one explicit imperative command (sorry for the redundancy) to make disciples. It is recorded in Matthew 28 and Mark 16. “Go make disciples,” Jesus commands. And it’s literally, “In your going [or as you are going], make disciples.” The command is to make disciples. In Luke 24:46-47, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8, Jesus speaks in the indicative. The gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth. As the Father sent Jesus, he was sending his disciples. The disciples will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It’s gonna happen.

The earliest recorded words of God are, “Let there be light.” Moses tells us that there was light. When God speaks, things happen. And he has spoken about his mission to save people through the preaching of the gospel locally, regionally, across cultural boundaries, and throughout the international world. When God speaks a word, it’s gonna happen.

Jesus also said some other things that have proven to be true here. “As they have persecuted me, so they will persecute you” (John 15:20). Now it was happening. They were being challenged, threatened, warned, and abused by the religious leaders of their day. The very ones God had set over the Jewish people were standing in the way of Jesus’ message of grace and truth. They who had done nothing more than speak about what they had seen and heard were treated like criminals.

Their response to all this? They prayed for boldness to see the rest of what Jesus said would happen, to preach the gospel, and bring the message of the Kingdom of God to all people. There is an edge to their prayers; an implied desire for God to judge these enemies of the gospel; perhaps even to bring their plans down around their own heads.

But the main point of their prayer is that they would be bold messengers of Jesus’ death and resurrection. When it comes time for God to stretch out his hand, they pray that it would be stretched out in grace, performing miracles of healings, signs and wonders. All this to the glory of Jesus. All this so that Jesus would be more and more famous.

The message of the kingdom of God is still being spread. God’s word is being proclaimed. People are facing persecution for being followers of Jesus. It’s gonna be that way until the very end. And Jesus will be with his people all the way to the end as well. That’s his promise, “Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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Acts 4:23-37

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. ²⁴ When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— ²⁵ you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?
    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
²⁶ The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
    the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
    and against his Messiah.’

²⁷ “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. ²⁸ But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. ²⁹ And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

³² All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

³⁶ For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. ³⁷ He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Maybe you’re better at waiting than I am. If I’ve got a few minutes, I will listen to the next chapter of my book, play a game of solitaire, look at the latest news, or check my email. My phone has become an emotional support device it seems. I wonder whether I can claim that status if I am told I must leave behind my phone in certain situations??? That’s actually pretty lame, I’ll admit. But I don’t want to waste time. (Don’t say a word about Solitaire!)

There is a quite different means by which people waste time. It has to do with ignoring the truth of God’s word, his purposes and plans, and his ways. Or worse yet, trying to thwart them. When Peter and John are freed from their imprisonment, they reported to the believers what had happened and how they had been told not to speak of Jesus anymore.

The response of the believers was to praise God, and pray to him, recalling the words of Psalm 2:1-2. Why indeed? They were angry because their fiefdom was being taken from them. They would no longer hold power over the people. They wasted their time with futile plans because they were blind to their own folly, and committed to their own destruction.

There are those who align themselves against our Lord. There are those who mock Jesus. Some people deride his teachings and ways. People want nothing of his reign and rule. They will chart their own course. They will make their own plans. Jesus is, for them, a non-factor, an interesting religious character, perhaps an example of a committed life, or a pattern of doing good to those in need. In their minds he is only one of many. They consider Buddha, Confucius, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, or even Bill Gates as more relevant to our current world.

But they are wasting their time. One day all that Jesus has taught and done, all who believe in him against all odds and every persecution, all those churches that have been dismissed as detriments to society will be vindicated. Every eye will see Jesus. He reigns over all, and his reign and rule is not to be set aside.

Next time you see evil run rampant, injustice triumph, faith ridiculed, or Jesus dismissed, pray for those folks who are only wasting their time. For evil will not win the day. Injustice will be sent to hell. Faith will be vindicated. Every knee will bow in heaven and on earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father, and the joy of all the angels and believers in heaven and on earth. Every moment spent praising Jesus, following in his ways, serving him in his kingdom is a moment that will never be wasted.

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 53

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.
God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there is anyone who understands,
Who seeks after God.
Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.
Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,
Who eat up My people as though they ate bread
And have not called upon God?
There they were in great fear where no fear had been;
For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;
You put them to shame, because God had rejected them.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores His captive people,
Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 83:1-2, 15-18

God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
So pursue them with Your tempest
And terrify them with Your storm.
Fill their faces with dishonor,
That they may seek Your name, O LORD.
Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever,
And let them be humiliated and perish,
That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 113:1-4

Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.

Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O LORD,
Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart is appalled within me.
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You, as a parched land.
Selah.
Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Your face from me,
Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies
And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
For I am Your servant.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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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.

I thought Dr. “Red” Duke, famous Houston physician and TV personality said it. But upon more careful research, he may have said it, but it dates well earlier than Dr. Duke’s TV appearances. Ready: Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. Or, “Getting old is difficult. But the alternative is rotten (rotting?). Clever, and even more applicable to me today than even 10 years ago.

On the other hand, Jesus says that it is those who have childlike faith who are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven (or Kingdom of God) is a realm of faith: the gracious rule and reign of God by faith in the heart of the believer. As such, we must allow that children may have saving faith. When we baptize an infant, we are actually providing a true focus or object for his or her faith.

By the time someone grows up, adding a few years of disappointments of promises not kept, he becomes more callous and less trusting by nature. We become suspect when the way cool decoder ring promised in the Cracker Jack box is cheap throw-away. Then we are promised a better job that never materializes. Our close friend betrays a confidence. We close our hearts. We harden our souls against hope. The older we get the more skeptical we become.

So when this man who is 40 years old reports that he has been healed – or when the people see this 40 year old man now walking – they know something really happened. This isn’t a last-minute plant, who miraculously gains his sight. This isn’t an insider who is pretending to have won the giant teddy bear at the carnival. They’ve seen this man for years, struggling to get by. He’s old enough not to be taken in. This is the real deal.

Our son, one Sunday went to his friend’s house to tell him about Jesus. We thought that was really cute. But when the father of the bride spoke at the wedding reception for a newly-wed couple and gave a clear public witness to Jesus Christ and the importance of faith, I took note. I suspect it had an impact on others as well.

As we wait for that time when our numbered days come to an end, and we pass from this veil of tears to the life of the world to come, it is vital that we join Paul and say, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) That’s true no matter how old we are.

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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.

When people praise God several important things happen. God is properly recognized for his majesty, glory, power, strength, wisdom, grace, goodness, mercy, and love. When God is recognized for these things, we are the better for it.

Praising God doesn’t make him feel better about himself. It doesn’t make him any more inclined to care for us. He is the One who is. He told Moses, when asked for his name, “I AM WHO I AM.” He is the Great I AM. He exists apart from our acknowledgement. When we acknowledge this, it is akin to acknowledging that there is such a thing as gravity. We live with it. We don’t ignore it. It is a factor in our lives. Without it we’re in deep trouble. So too with God. If we do not acknowledge him for who he is, we are in deep trouble.

Furthermore God’s love is pure. His grace is glorious. His mercy is steadfast. We don’t earn it. It is a given. So when we acknowledge God for his mercy, grace, goodness, and love, we are not causing God to love us. He doesn’t need a reminder of that. We are reminding ourselves that we have a faithful and loving God to whom we may turn in times of joy or trouble. We embolden ourselves to call on him and seek his help.

As we praise God we also put things in perspective. He is great. We are not. We cannot call him to account for his actions. We cannot put him on trial. We answer to him. This is a healthy attitude toward God and life itself. The sooner we recognize that we are not in control the sooner we’ll enjoy letting God guide our path as we seek his will and ways.

Praise can prevent further incursions of evil and trouble. That’s what happens here when the people’s praise prevented the enemies of the gospel from taking further action against Peter and John.

Our troubles and worries are also put in perspective when we praise God. God is bigger, stronger, mightier, and sovereign over all our lives – our troubles included. They will bow to his good will and ultimate purpose for our blessing and joy.

When the people saw what God had done for the lame man, they rejoiced and praised God. Did they realize the farther-reaching implications of their praise? Do you, when you praise God and give him the glory he deserves?

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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.

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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.

I just recently learned what “mic drop” means. It’s a way of saying that nothing more needs to be said, or can be said. I’m finished speaking, and I’m dropping the microphone because I need not say more. That’s what I thought of when I saw this line in the confrontation between Peter and John and the Jewish leaders on this occasion. “For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” It’s the undeniable, undebatable reality. They will have to deal with this reality. The man had been healed. Everyone had seen it. They couldn’t pull off a bald-faced lie. 

It’s pretty sad when people who should be championing the healing of a crippled man instead challenge, criticize, and belittle the ones who healed him. That is especially true when the ones who did it take no credit for themselves. They give all the credit to Jesus.

I’ve seen Jesus given credit in ways that still allow for the hero status of the healer or miracle-worker to be front and center. Their name is prominently displayed. Their name is on the billboards and building, and maybe even their face. The TV screen centers on them. Worst of all, their message is seldom about repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus. They focus on the miraculous and fantastic, not on the cross of Jesus, or the one we are to carry as Jesus’ followers.

Peter and John are beginning an incredible new chapter in the story of God. They will perform miracles. They will heal. But they will also be put in prison. They will be threatened. Others will even be put to death for speaking in Jesus’ name, and proclaiming his death and resurrection.

That should be a mic drop moment for us. People have died because they carried the message of Jesus to new lands and people. But it does not stop God from growing his kingdom. It will not keep his people from witnessing to the truth and grace of Jesus of Nazareth.

There will be a mic drop to end all mic drops on the great last day. Those who criticize and ridicule Jesus’ followers, and those who deny Jesus’ reign and rule will be silenced. The only words that will be spoken then will be words of praise, honor, glory, blessing, and joy before the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever and ever. Amen (mic drop!)

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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.

I mentioned recently that I’ve been watching a television series about New York City lawyers and all their slick moves, strategic posturing, and legal maneuvers. I’ve noticed some things about these characters. They wear very expensive suits, eat in high dollar restaurants, work in glass-walled offices with elegant fine furniture. They are high powered, high wage earners, and physically attractive. They’re smart and very successful.

This reminds me of what Paul writes to the church in Corinth:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. ²⁹ As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 [NLT]

So the observation of the Jewish leaders and high priests that Peter and the others were common, ordinary and uneducated men is right on. And this truth should leap off the page: God has given his incredibly extraordinary mission to common ordinary men and women. God has given his extraordinarily important mission into the hands of common and ordinary men and women.

Don’t get me wrong. This is no excuse to be schlocky in our work or witness. We need not try to prove how inept we are in declaring the truth about Jesus. We must do all we can to be faithful, credible, prepared, and dedicated witnesses to Jesus’ work and word. We are called to give God the firstfruits – not the leftovers of our reason and senses. We must fully apply ourselves to reflecting Jesus’ love, truth, grace, and mercy. But the power is not in our intellect, reasoning ability, or efforts. The power is God’s Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Paul says the result of God’s using ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes is so that we do not boast. It’s also so that people will not rely on just one person, or believe that their favorite pastor, teacher, or mentor is the only one through whom God can work.

What distinguished these men was the impact that Jesus had on them. They had been with Jesus and it showed. Want to be extraordinary? Spend time with Jesus and he will do extraordinary things through you. That’s what he does. The extraordinary mission of God is carried out by ordinary people who have spent time with Jesus.