OT: Isaiah 9-10
NT: Acts 4
W&W: Proverbs 12
Today’s Reflection:
In Acts 4, we find Peter and John boldly preaching Jesus. They had been arrested and then called to give an account before the Jewish rulers “for an act of kindness shown to a cripple…” Without apology, without hesitation, without shame, they proclaimed, “Know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4.10).
At the end of the proceedings, Peter and John were commanded “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” To which they replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (vv. 18-20).
When I read that, the Holy Spirit seemed to challenge me, saying, “Preach Jesus! Boldly preach Jesus!”
Following the lead of Peter and John, those who would preach Jesus, who would boldly witness to Jesus’ resurrection and power, must be:
- Filled with the Spirit
- Courageous
- Plain and straightforward
- Firm and unapologetic
- Prayerful and dependent
- Willing to face needs with grace (see blog from May 8)
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.4-5: We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
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