Monday after the Fifth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on July 18, 2022 by under
Scripture: Acts 5:27-32 (NKJV)
5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Devotion
The high priests were trying to shift blame. They wanted the Apostles to submit to their self-important opinions, so they twisted the focus of the debate. Satan continues to teach this trick, and sinners continue to use it.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came preaching repentance, faith, and obedience, but prideful sinners hated this message. Rather than be humbled, they played wicked games and eventually sought to kill Jesus. None of us has the right to think he or she is better than the wicked high priests, but our Lord gives us this Word so that we can hear and be humbled according to His grace! Peter and the other Apostles were sinners too, but they heard the teaching of Christ and they submitted to His will, not the self-will of corrupted men.
Satan and this world have insidiously taught rebellion to everyone. Even some Christians think that it is acceptable to disobey heads and masters because they have their own “reasons.” Peter’s example and preaching shows us that we must obey God when the commands of men are clearly evil, but otherwise we are still to obey men according to God’s order. In Matthew 23 our Lord teaches His disciples to observe and do what the scribes and Pharisees command, even though they are hypocrites. Man’s weakness does not nullify God’s vocations and good order. Instead, He uses all such situations to teach humility and faithfulness for all who seek God’s will and truth according to His Spirit!
Prayer: O God, Who has prepared for them that love Thee such good things as pass man’s understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward Thee, that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; 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.
