​Week 5, Day 1

​Week 5, Day 1
January 31, 2022
Scripture: Acts 5
 
 
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:41–42)
 
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2–3)
 
Nothing will stand in the way of the Apostles from proclaiming Jesus.
 
Acts 5 is the wonderful reminder of why we can face trials with joy. Gamaliel is a great observer of recent history. He tells the Sanhedrin that they have seen many times the rise and inevitable fall of would-be messiahs. He essentially calls them all flash-in-the-pan messiahs. Here shortly gaining a quick following and then they are gone, never to be heard of again.
 
He considers that this Jesus may be another one, saying, “leave them alone and let this Jesus phase fizzle out.”
 
Well, the Gospel of Jesus is still being announced today. People are still suffering for the Lord. People are still experiencing life change and experiencing the peace of knowing Jesus. The message of Jesus is still spreading today. 
 
We go on in our lives as Christians affirming what Peter and the Apostles believed with all their heart and were willing to endure great suffering for:
 
“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”” (Acts 5:29–32)
 
The message that Jesus is Lord and Savior is still being proclaimed today. May it continue in us, each day. Jesus lives and reigns as King.
 
God be with you,
 
Jordan