Day 173: Esther 4-6; Acts 5:17-42
"As they left the council, they weren’t discouraged at all. In fact, they were filled with joy over being considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of His name. And constantly, whether in public, in the temple, or in their homes, they kept teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Anointed One, the Liberating King" (Acts 5:41-42, The Voice).
Last night we viewed season 3, episode 2 of The Chosen, "Two by Two." One thing struck me was the totally human response of the apostles to Jesus: "You want us to do what? Go out without any money, extra clothing, or food? And, teach/preach? And heal the sick and cast out demons?" Big ask!
This morning as I read Acts 5, my mind went back to the barricaded upper room after the crucifixion. Same group minus two...Thomas would join in later. Cowering, fear embodied.
Here, for the second time (third, really, if you count the jail break in which there was no confrontation), they leave the Sanhedrin with an unexpected joy in suffering and a holy defiance in proclamation of the Great Good News. They prayed for boldness and got it. They were living the promise of power to witness to the point of being martyrs with the indwelling Holy Spirit being their source of holy boldness.
May our encounter with the 'Liberating King' free us, in the energizing power of the Holy Spirit, to go boldly where Jesus calls us today, and speak courageously the message of salvation, full and free!
Last night we viewed season 3, episode 2 of The Chosen, "Two by Two." One thing struck me was the totally human response of the apostles to Jesus: "You want us to do what? Go out without any money, extra clothing, or food? And, teach/preach? And heal the sick and cast out demons?" Big ask!
This morning as I read Acts 5, my mind went back to the barricaded upper room after the crucifixion. Same group minus two...Thomas would join in later. Cowering, fear embodied.
Here, for the second time (third, really, if you count the jail break in which there was no confrontation), they leave the Sanhedrin with an unexpected joy in suffering and a holy defiance in proclamation of the Great Good News. They prayed for boldness and got it. They were living the promise of power to witness to the point of being martyrs with the indwelling Holy Spirit being their source of holy boldness.
May our encounter with the 'Liberating King' free us, in the energizing power of the Holy Spirit, to go boldly where Jesus calls us today, and speak courageously the message of salvation, full and free!
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