Daily Devotion for July 10, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Acts 5:12-21a.

Jesus tells the disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Our verses today are part of the greater story from Acts 3 thru Acts 8 of the disciples’ and apostles’ witness unto the people in Jerusalem.

Yes, the Holy Spirit had given them power to accomplish many signs and wonders among the people. Yet, even so, there was still great fear to be a witness because of the threats of persecution to any followers of Christ. Even in the midst of these troubled times, God’s Holy Spirit was at work bringing new believers to Christ. And many were being healed.

Verse 17 gives us the motivation for the anger and persecution which came from the High Priest and all who were with him—-They were “filled with jealousy.” Therefore, they had the apostles arrested and placed in the public prison.

Again, the Holy Spirit was at work and sent an angel to open the prison doors, with the message for the apostles to go back to the temple and teach about this life in Jesus. And they did! The Holy Spirit gave them the gift of courage to return to the temple where they would surely be facing persecution!

The key motivation for Peter and the apostles’ courage to return is in verse 29, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” Even though the work of the kingdom is not always welcomed by the world, they knew God was with them leading each step of the way.

In verse 40, they are persecuted by being flogged, but they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name of Christ. And they continued in the temple and at home to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Personal Worship Option:

Ponder for a moment, the courage it would have taken to face this type of persecution to be a witness in Jerusalem in the name of Jesus. Jesus had called them to be witnesses and they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit’s empowering let us be courageous witnesses in the name of Jesus today, too.