Saturday after Reminiscere
Posted on March 6, 2021 by under
Scripture: Acts 5:34-42 (NKJV)
5:34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles land beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Devotion
In the time of our Lord’s Apostles many of the Jews and their leaders had submitted to the teachings of the evil one. They rejected that Jesus was the true Christ, and they resisted His Holy Spirit’s testimony. In spite of the shrewd observation from the Pharisee Gamaliel, many of them continued to fight and persecute the Apostolic ministry. The Apostles and other Christians endured beatings, hardships, and even martyrdom for the name of Jesus, but they still triumphed over the power of Satan because they died in the name of the true Christ.
Take note of what the Church did in the face of persecution. They did not rise up in force against the council. They did not pretend to obey while secretly plotting to respond in kind. Nor did they wail and complain about how they were victims who deserved revenge. The Apostles of God’s faithful Church rejoiced that they suffered and were persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and they daily taught and preached in the name of Jesus Christ. This means they had worship services and studied the Word! They were not going door-to-door, harassing people in the name of Jesus. And they were not showing up in the temple to wage obnoxious arguments or counter-campaigns. They simply fulfilled their vocations. They taught and preached in proper places, proper times, and the Church gathered around this message of Jesus in worship. May the Lord help us follow this example in our trials and difficulties as well.
Prayer: O God, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength, keep us both outwardly and inwardly that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
