Cutting through the Toughest of Shells

Acts 5:17-42

Looking at Acts 5, I’m blown away by unconventional and unexpected ways the Lord moves. This story includes a miraculous jailbreak for the people of God! But I’m not even talking about that. It’s so subtle that you might miss it. 

Let’s set the scene — this is the big showdown. The Apostles have already been warned not to preach in the name of Jesus. Then they break out of jail and continue to preach and teach in the name of Jesus. The entire gang is on trial now. The Apostles v. The Sanhedrin. 

When questioned this time, this group proclaims the name of Jesus yet again. How could they not? 

The response from the Sanhedrin is quite startling. The Sanhedrin were so furious, they were ready to kill. If we cut to a commercial break at that point in the movie, you’d be convinced the apostles were going to die. How could they come back from that? Their opposers have all the authority and all the desire to order their death. 

Then, the Lord intervenes. This time with a guy who doesn’t even know what he believes. Mr. Popular of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel, stands up and says the equivalent of “Hey you guys should be real careful what you do next. If there’s even the smallest chance that what these guys are saying is true, do you really want to oppose God?” 

This should be seen as a miracle in itself! Did the Lord just intervene in the group we view as the most lost? Did one of Jesus’ opposers have their heart softened by the testimony of Peter and the Apostles?

Instead of death, the Apostles end up being released. Although most people focus solely on the Apostles being physically beaten as a punishment in this scene, to do so would be to miss something substantial.

What we have just witnessed is the sovereignty of God. The Lord uses testimony to cut through even the toughest of shells.

If the Lord can stop a bloodthirsty group from murder with a testimony, what can He do with yours? If the Lord can use this guy, Gamaliel, to speak on something he knows nothing about to a group who wants nothing to do with it, how much more could he use your testimony? 

The Apostles could not have known what was going to happen next. They too likely thought their fate was sealed. But we have no idea what the Lord can do. He wants to crack through to the places and the people in your life who are the most far gone. Do we believe that the Lord can use our best efforts like He did with Gamaliel? 

Praying for you all as you discern where the Lord wants to use you next.