“Dangerous”

Meditation on Acts 4:1-22

Aug. 12, 2012

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“While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.

        The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’

       Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.

       This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’

      Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another.

     The council said, ‘What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’

      So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

      But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’

      After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old. (Acts 4:1-22)

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      I attended a birthday party for a 9-year-old on Friday afternoon. Adrienne had given me an invitation after worship one Sunday.  I didn’t realize what it was when she handed me the envelope or else I would have opened it right then!

      I called her house the next day to tell her I would be delighted to come. Was there anything special I should know about the party?

      She said, “I want you to pray.”

       I was a little surprised by her request, but pleased.  “Of course I will,” I said.

      Now I want you to know that she didn’t say she wanted me to say the blessing for the meal.  She said simply, “I want you to pray.”

       That was all the encouragement I needed to bring a message to share with Adrienne and her family and guests.  And yes, there would be a prayer, but not just for the food.   

        So on the afternoon of the party, Pastor Jim and I are sitting with about a dozen young girls in Adrienne’s garage, gathered around a long table with a pink princess tablecloth.  The girls are busily making jewelry and backpack decorations and eating chocolate cupcakes.

        There’s one little girl sitting to my left—eyeing me warily.

        As if I were, I don’t know, dangerous.

        I say, “hello.” She says hello back.  But she keeps on staring at me.

        Maybe it is because I am the biggest little girl at the party, is my first thought.     Maybe it is because I am a stranger, is my second.

    And then I realize it is both of those AND the fact that Adrienne introduced me as “her pastor.”

     What was I doing at Adrienne’s party? Didn’t I belong in church, praying and reading the Bible? 

    Why wasn’t I wearing pastor clothes, instead of ordinary jeans, sandals, and a beaded blouse?

     Well, she was right.  I was dangerous. 

      I had a brought a Word to share at the party. I prayed for all the children and that Adrienne and the others would seek to serve the Lord as they grew up. And that God would help their parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, and pastors nurture them in the faith.

     I prayed a special blessing for Adrienne, who is already demonstrating leadership gifts and a passion for scripture and learning more about the things of God.  When she comes up front for the children’s message, I know I can count on her not to shrink away from my scary questions.

      She doesn’t give silly answers, either.  She’s listening and thinking, taking the Word seriously. She supplies answers that a pastor hopes for when sharing the gospel with the youngest members of the congregation. 

     In my message at Adrienne’s party, I am bold, asking, “I wonder if Adrienne will be a pastor someday?”

    I watch as Adrienne’s eyes grow wide. 

   “I hope she will consider it!” I say, smiling as Adrienne smiles and nods.

    Yes, the little girl sitting to my left was absolutely right.  I am dangerous.

     A pastor wearing ordinary clothes and attending a children’s birthday party is someone to watch out for, especially if you are the devil. What is the worst threat to the powers and principalities of darkness? Why do you think the devil wants kids to stay away from church and Sunday school?

      So they won’t hear the good news about Jesus’s resurrection and the promise of salvation through Him! 

     When children hear the gospel with open hearts and minds, they are empowered to go out and proclaim the hope of Jesus to a hurting world.  Guess who they talk to first? All their young friends and family members.

     The devil’s thinking now Adrienne and all who came to her party are dangerous!

    And he’s right! 

***

     Peter and John have their own battle with the powers of darkness in our Acts reading today.  The religious authorities put them in jail because they have been proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection and the hope of salvation in His name. 
     Peter and John are dangerous.

     They are telling people, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

     They have just healed a man in his 40s who has been lame his entire life.  The crowd goes wild.

    They hear about Jesus’ being raised from the dead and they see this miraculous healing in His name. And they believe! 

     About 5,000 people come to Christ in one day.

     The religious leaders are terrified that the one they crucified still has power through His companions, but they can’t punish Peter and John.    

      Not while the crowds are embracing them and giving thanks to God for what has happened. The religious authorities can only threaten Peter and John and command them “not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus.”

      The apostles are bold. Can this be the same Peter who was so frightened when Jesus was arrested that he denied him three times before the cock crowed?

       This is, indeed, Peter, now empowered by the Holy Spirit. “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge,” he says.  “For we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

***

      The Spirit that filled and moved the first Christians to believe is the same Spirit that guides and enables the Church today. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

     Ordinary people are still a force to be reckoned with when they speak and teach in His name. There’s power in that name—the only name by which mortals are saved. 

     Friends, may you be encouraged by my message today to go out into the world and be bold like Peter and John, empowered by the Spirit.

     I hope you cannot keep from speaking about the things you have seen and heard.

     I hope you will be dangerous!

Let us pray.  Almighty God, thank you for Your Spirit that guides and empowers us to do Your Will.  Thank you for offering us forgiveness for our sins and eternal life through Your Son’s sacrifice on the cross. Make us bold, Lord, to speak of His resurrection and our hope of resurrection with Him. Let us have courage for Christ’s sake and for the sake of all the people who don’t know about salvation in His name, including the children in our communities.  Help us to move outside our comfort zones to bring hope and healing to a world that desperately needs a Savior.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen!