3/29/10 Acts 4
Been with Jesus?
(Ac 4:13) 13Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
Peter and John were arrested for proclaiming to the people that Jesus had rose from the dead (Acts 4:2-3). The next day the rulers and elders and scribes along with the chief priest and others of the priestly descent brought Peter and John in for interrogation. They proclaimed to them the message that Jesus the Nazarene was the Christ and that they had rejected Him by crucifying Him, but God had raised Him from the dead. Peter and John also said, now for the evidence that what we are saying is true, no one can deny that a miracle has taken place with the healing of this lame beggar man who was standing with them (4:14).
All those Jewish leaders were stunned at the confidence and the boldness of Peter and John and they were amazed and then they recognized them as having been with Jesus. What a testimony for others to see.
The question for us is do we live in such a way that others see Jesus in us and hear the message that Jesus has risen from the dead? It is essential for each believer to daily read the scriptures and spend time in prayer for their own spiritual health. When we care for our spiritual nourishment then we others will notice. Just as people notice when individuals care for their physical bodies. Who should recognize that we have been with Jesus? It begins with those who are closest to you. If you are married, then your spouse should notice that you have been with Jesus. If you are single then perhaps it is your parents or siblings that should notice that you have been with Jesus. If those closest to you have not noticed that you have been with Jesus there is little reason for others to notice.
The Jewish officials though that they had gotten rid of Jesus and His teaching by crucifying Him, but now they have these two that continue to speak and proclaim as Jesus did and a miracle to authenticate their message. The Jewish officials commanded Peter and John to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, but their response was that they cannot stop about what they have seen and heard. Peter and John were faithful witnesses and we can be the same as we simple spend time with Jesus in bible reading and prayer.
Prayer: Father, Oh that my life would radiant the same evidence as Peter and John that I have been with Jesus. Amen.