Devotion - Acts 4:1-4 NKJV

Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Peter has healed the lame man that was sitting at the gate of the temple. It was a huge act of faith and courage. The healed man, now up and jumping around praising God, caused a commotion. People from all around started to look, stare, and gather. This act of faith had produced another opportunity for Peter to speak about Jesus…how He was the Messiah. Peter boldly steps up and delivers his second sermon. The people are amazed and marvel at the miracle and confidence by which Peter has.

But here is the thing…there are some people that wouldn’t recognize a good thing if it hit them in the face…and that is what we see taking place here.

The priest, the captain of the temple guards, and the Sadducees came and took Peter and John and threw them in jail. If you seriously think about it…that is how it goes sometimes. You can do everything right…and still everything can go wrong. You can make all the right decisions…and still end up on the wrong side of things.

Let’s hold on to that and return in just a minute…

Acts 4:5-7 NKJV

And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

Let me unveil the obvious…because it’s right here in the open…and yet it seems cloaked and more than often goes unnoticed. Healing a lame man plus preaching the Gospel of Jesus ends you up in jail. Most of you here would say “amen” to that…you get that. You understand that there is going to be persecution. They persecuted Jesus. However, what goes unseen is the wisdom and love of God here in that Peter and John go to jail. They are taken into custody for the night.

This is where most of us quit. We are hard pressed to get passed the fact that all the good we are doing ends us up in one of the worst places. A jail cell is not where people want to be. It’s not where I want to be. It’s not where you want to be…and I honestly believe it’s not where Peter and John wanted to be. It is, however, the place God wanted them to be.

Let me read the passage again…I like how the New American Standard puts it…

Acts 4:5-7 NAS

And it came about on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high priestly descent. And when they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

All of the highly respected religious leaders of that time were gathered…and Peter and John were placed front and center. They were given center stage to preach and witness the gospel to the most influential people in all of Jerusalem.

Think on that.

Not only did 5000 people were added to the church…but now Peter and John find themselves right in the middle of witnessing to the most credible people of their society. God so loved even the stubborn religious legalist that he presented them with an opportunity of hearing the Gospel of Jesus. That is how it is. God will use us as His instruments to call his children home. He will use us as tools to accomplish His will upon His earth. But here is the thing...it sometimes comes disguised as a jail cell, prison, or something worse.