BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Luke records in Acts about what happened when Peter and the apostles were brought before the High Priest after walking out of prison...
And so hearing this, they indeed entered the temple at daybreak and they taught. That was when the High Priest and his group called the council together for a sitting of Israel’s full senate, sending a message to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came to the prison, they did not find them there and so, on return, this was their report, “We found the prison securely locked, the sentries standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside.” Now upon hearing this, the captain of the temple and the chief priests were thrown into confusion, wondering what this suggested. And then, someone came and told them, “Those men you put in prison are there standing in the temple, teaching the people.” Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were indeed afraid of the people, lest they be stoned. And taking them along, and having they set them before the council, the High Priest interrogated them, in these words, “Were you not expressly forbidden by us to teach any further in this name? And yet, here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and your intention is clearly to charge us with this man’s blood.” But Peter and the apostles made their replies, “We must obey God rather than men. Our forefathers’ God raised Jesus whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him by His right hand as Leader and Saviour, giving repentance to Israel, the remission of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has granted to those who render obedience to Him.” (Acts 5:21-32/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
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THE OLD CITY: Jerusalem, where Peter and the apostles were brought before the High Priest and council after having walked out of prison following an angelic visitation. PICTURE: Gunars TIsons/www.freeimages.com
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Remember the story of Daniel in the lion’s den? You may remember that the morning after, having left Daniel to spend the night with the hungry lions, King Darius came to the lion’s den, crying out to Daniel (if he was there) and not really expecting him to be alive. I wonder if Luke wrote this with that ancient event (Daniel 6:19-24) in mind. There is humour in it.
But Luke is also trying to convey how these confused religious leaders were swamped by their own fears: “Didn’t we strictly charge you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you clearly intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Keep in mind that they are confronting Peter – Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times in the High Priest’s courtyard. It was the High Priest’s servant who had then recognised him. But now Peter was restored. Peter was standing there, confessing faith his Master, and it was a miracle for those who had eyes to see it.
But Luke tells us that the religious leaders not only could not see it, they would not see it. They were driven. They interpreted these developments as personal attacks. The apostles, they decided, had to be driven by hate and revenge. As Luke tells it the religious leaders couldn’t see it in any other way. But Peter did not accept this and held the line: “Our faith in God has been fulfilled by God raising His own Son from the grave. God’s mercy triumphs over judgment. Forgiveness of sins is not just our hope but confirmed by the Holy Spirit Himself.”
Peter’s appeal to the religious leaders could not have been stronger. God’s love has been poured out. His mercy is freely available. Believe it. Receive it!
Got a verse or a short passage you’d like us to look at? Just send an email to [email protected].
