Daily Devotion for February 14, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Acts 5:17-21a.

Today is Ash Wednesday and we will observe this day with a time of worship and reflection in preparation for the 40-days’ journey with Jesus towards Jerusalem and the cross. The way of the cross was Jesus’ way to demonstrate God’s sacrificial love, forgiveness and healing for all the world.

For today’s reading, we can look back to Acts 4:18-20, and read that Peter and John had been ordered to stop teaching about Jesus and threatened if they did so. Now here again in chapter 5, they have been arrested (along with other apostles) and when rescued by the angel of the Lord, chose to go to the temple courts and continue teaching. It was at this point that they chose the sacrificial path that Jesus had taught them.

We can remember that Peter was the one who denied Jesus three times prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. But this time, Peter, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has been courageous enough to be willing to sacrifice his life. He boldly shares the message of God’s love for all people through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus! Peter and John had also been healing people in the name of Jesus and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

God protected them in 5:33-39 through the words of Gamaliel, a teacher of the law. Gamaliel said to the Council, “If it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Then chapter 5:41 says, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Chapter 5 concludes with, “they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” They followed the way of the cross even though it meant suffering and sacrifice.

Personal Worship Option:

God forgives Peter’s denial and gives him a second chance. The Holy Spirit gives the grace of a courageous spirit to even endure suffering to give witness of who Jesus is and who he came to be. These gifts are offered to us, too. Will we receive these gifts and follow in Jesus’ footsteps wherever Jesus’ steps might lead us?