Saturday after Reminiscere Sunday
Posted on March 2, 2024 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 and 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
Gamaliel was a respected teacher in his day. The council agreed that if the apostles’ teachings were no big deal, they would certainly amount to nothing. Maybe all of this Jesus stuff would go away, and life for the religious leaders of that day could return to normal. In order to ‘help’ the apostles’ teachings amount to nothing, they had apostles beaten.
What may be difficult for us to fathom was the fact the apostles rejoiced at being beaten. And, as we read, the apostles didn’t stop preaching about Jesus. They preached in Jerusalem, and this preaching would spread to all nations, just as Jesus said. Even though they were beaten, the apostles rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Over the centuries countless martyrs have suffered for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. How were they able to suffer all, even death, rather than deny Jesus? The answer is simple: By the grace of God. Our entire life as Christians is wrapped up in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
His grace is also demonstrated vividly through His institution of the Apostolic Ministry. Ordinary men are called by God and given the task of preaching and administering the sacraments. The pastor is a pastor purely out of God’s grace. Thus, we pray for our pastors that God would graciously lead them so that they may, in turn, teach us in the name of Jesus.
Collect: 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, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
