Acts 5:17-21
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
OBSERVATION
The apostles had been arrested and put in prison for preaching and healing in Jesus' name. During the night, they were supernaturally released from prison. However, they were not told to go and hide. They were not told to flee the city. They were told to go into a public place and tell others about this new life found in Jesus Christ. They were told to go into the temple courts, a place where they would definitely be found by those who had thrown them into prison. And they obeyed! They did not allow fear to control their decision, but rather, were led by faith. They fulling embraced the concept, "If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)."
APPLICATION
The apostles in Acts had the potential of loosing their freedom and their very lives. But, in faith, they continued to tell others about the reality of God's grace. In comparison, I have to ask myself, what do I have to loose when telling others about "the full message of this new life?" Probably, the biggest thing I stand to loose when telling others about Jesus is comfort. It can be uncomfortable talking to others about Jesus, and if I'm honest, this desire to stay within my comfortable world will too frequently override my faith and obedience. So, the question remains, am I willing to sacrifice my comfort to share the new life found in Jesus Christ?
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to find more opportunities to step out in obedience and faith and tell others about you and the life you talk about in the Gospels. Help me to be willing to initiate spiritual conversations, even if I feel uncomfortable and nervous. Help my conversations about you to always be seasoned with gentleness and respect.
