Remember the back story to today’s reading. Peter has just told a lame man “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Jaws dropped as the man got up and started leaping around, and Peter explained that this was the work of Jesus whom they had crucified but who had risen; he called them to turn back to God's plan for their lives. We learned last time that “repentance opens us up to forgiveness” and that we need to “make sure that the stuff God is doing, doesn't pass us by”But this event marks a shift from “favour” to “conflict.” This new thing, the “emerging Church” is growing rapidly, but it's becoming something that is in conflict with the rest of its world.
And the problem is Jesus!
They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (v. 2) The officials who turned up were the priests (presumably some of the most senior priests) the Captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees: they were the well-heeled, more “Greek” educated, and tended to take the Old Testament less literally. They didn't believe in the resurrection. (That is why they were so sad, you see!) Rejection, and anger, were their hard-wired response to the idea that Jesus is alive.
Living for Jesus will give offence. It is our responsibility to make sure that the “Sticking point” is Jesus, not one of the dozens of other issues that we have strong views about. Over the years, we have seen the Church protest against pornography, abortion, Sunday Shopping, poverty, slavery, nuclear armaments, human trafficking, and most recently, gay marriage. It is good that we have a voice on these issues. But we need to beware that these issues don't become the main thing. We need to make sure that Jesus remains the problem. That means we need to ensure that Jesus remains the main thing in our lives and our shared life. Then, our concerns for poverty, peace, or purity, will arise out of our passion for Jesus. The big issue is Jesus. We need to present Jesus to people; other issues will arise, but we need to try to ensure that the Gospel is central. We aren't going out looking for conflict. If we are faithful to Jesus, we will experience conflict. But we need to present Jesus in a positive, life-affirming, loving, generous way. There will still be those who will give us a bad time. Let's make sure it's because of what is wrong in them, not what is wrong in us.
A Story to tell
The next morning, all the powerful people gather together to hold a trial. The ask the Apostles, ‘By what power or what name did you do this” (v. 7) and the answer is … “Jesus!” The core of the Christian faith is about Jesus.
In fact, Peter’s answer sets out very clearly some key facts about the Christian faith,and about Jesus.
1. He has power. “There is power in the name of Jesus.” Christianity is a supernaturalist faith. But that power isn't a matter of self indulgence, showing off, or throwing its weight around. Peter reminds everyone that this episode started with “an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame.” As we struggle with the supernatural element – and some Christians find it scary, just as other find they are drawn to it – we need to remember that it's about compassion to the last, the lost and the least. It's about showing the father’s love.
2. He was crucified and raised from the dead. In Luke's thinking, the miracle of healing and the miracles of the cross and the empty tomb all hang together.
3. You rejected him; God has made him the cornerstone of God's Kingdom. Because he has died for sin and risen again, Jesus is saviour, Lord, and King. He brings in God's rule.
4. He is the one and only hope of salvation, not only from illness (“healed in v. 9 is literally “saved”) but also from sin. There is, says Peter, only one name that can save us: the Name of Jesus. You want to be saved today, you need to call upon Jesus. This is the faith we call Christianity. It's what peter called “the Way”. It's a supernaturalist faith; it's about the events of Jesus' life and death and resurrection. It offers salvation to all who call upon his name.
In the Power of the Spirit
There was a challenge to lay before the strong, influential, intellectual people who were sitting in judgement over Peter and John, and over the Jesus Way. And these powerful, educated elite, realised something. They realised that Peter and John were “Unschooled, ordinary men” (v. 13) The Greek words are literally ἀγράμματοί ... ἰδιῶται. What does that sound like? “Illiterate idiots” was how they were perceived. They weren't anything special.
But they were “Filled with the Holy Spirit.” (v 8) Peter knows power, as he speaks up for Jesus in this very difficult and challenging situation where the powerful people – the rulers and governors, and the impressive people – the educated scribes – all are sitting there, making judgements, belittling them. Issuing orders. It is all very intimidating. But the Holy Spirit is there, fulfilling the promise Jesus had made. Peter and John became the living proof that there is salvation in Jesus, and that “The Way” is a supernatural faith. They were supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Paul says to the Church in fast-moving, cosmopolitan Corinth “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” That's what God does.
Look around the room. Look in the mirror. “Not many of you are wise or influential.” We are ordinary, common people. Just like Peter and John. And Just like Peter and John we can be living proof of what we claim about Jesus, by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot help it
So the big, powerful people clear the courtroom, and, in private, discuss what to do. They know something powerful has happened. But they are determined to stop it if they can. So they call Peter and John in and order them to stop preaching. They were making the law up as they went along. If the disciples disobeyed this court order they could be imprisoned or worse for “contempt of court”. Peter isn't fazed, though. He answers, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?” That took courage! God is looking for people who will not be intimidated or cowed or embarrassed into silence, but will talk about Jesus.... Which is right? When society tries to pressure is into keeping quiet about Jesus, which is right? We know which is right! We have to listen to Him, not to the big guys who want to tell us what to think.
But it's not just toughness, thrawn-ness, grit and determination. It comes from inside. “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” We don't have the power not to speak of what we have seen and heard.” Billy Bray the drunken Cornish tin miner who found Jesus and became a preacher used to say, “If they were to put me in a barrel, I would shout glory out through the bunghole! Praise the Lord!”
We need to reach the stage where “We cannot help it” - talking about what we have seen and heard. I have to admit I'm not there yet: on holiday, we met a lady who delighted to tell us her husband, a middle-aged biker, “looked like Jesus” and one or two other comments. I longed to find a way of taking up an opportunity for the Gospel, that wouldn't sound condemning and preachy, but I couldn't think of anything. I'm looking to God get me to the place where I can't help myself.
"What we have seen" To reach that state we need to have a story to tell, a personal testimony. What has Jesus done in your life? "What we have heard" To reach that state we need to have a grasp of the truth of the Gospel. What is the Good news of Jesus all about?
And reach that state we need the Holy Spirit. It's the power of the Spirit that burns inside us to take us beyond our natural shyness and fear, beyond feeling obliged to speak out, to the place where we cannot keep it in.
© Gilmour Lilly July 2013
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