"When Pharisees Attack" June 28 Readings: 2 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 4:1–22, Psalm 78:12–18, Proverbs 16:7–9
Reading the Bible in 2023
Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!
NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!
Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 4:1–22, Psalm 78:12–18, Proverbs 16:7–9
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: When Pharisees Attack
Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Council to answer for their deeds. What was their crime? It all started in Acts 3 when they found a man who was lame since birth and they healed him.
He had been sitting outside the temple all his life begging for alms and the best the Jewish leaders could do for him was perhaps put a couple of coins in his cup from time to time. But along came this uneducated fisherman from Galilee claiming that the Nazarene had risen from the dead and speaking with authority and power. And these country bumpkins didn't put any silver or gold into the man's cup. They did something else - they raised him up.
That was the source of all the anger and resentment. They were the men in charge. Everyone looked up to them and revered them, but their religion was empty, devoid of the truth of God and the Spirit's power. Peter and John had none of their reputation, their money, their power, and influence or their social standing, but they had one thing that the leaders envied. They had power.
That was the unpardonable sin of the Apostles. They were not rebellious or disrespectful. They did not organize opposition or undermine the religious leaders. But in the name of Jesus Christ, they demonstrated the real power of God.
Empty religion can never abide the reality of the power of God working through the disciples of Christ. So, they came against them, arrested them, and tried to pressure them to stop preaching about the resurrected Christ.
In a sinful world such as we live in, following Christ may not bring us popularity. People may be offended, especially when they see the power of God at work within us. They may tell us to stop acting so strange, to go along with everyone else, and to fit in with their ways.
But there is no power in that. The work of God is done through those who walk in God's ways and give themselves completely to him. He then performs his acts of power through them in this world. Better to seek the presence and power of the living God than to seek the influence, status, and approval of the world. Generally, you cannot seek both.
He had been sitting outside the temple all his life begging for alms and the best the Jewish leaders could do for him was perhaps put a couple of coins in his cup from time to time. But along came this uneducated fisherman from Galilee claiming that the Nazarene had risen from the dead and speaking with authority and power. And these country bumpkins didn't put any silver or gold into the man's cup. They did something else - they raised him up.
That was the source of all the anger and resentment. They were the men in charge. Everyone looked up to them and revered them, but their religion was empty, devoid of the truth of God and the Spirit's power. Peter and John had none of their reputation, their money, their power, and influence or their social standing, but they had one thing that the leaders envied. They had power.
That was the unpardonable sin of the Apostles. They were not rebellious or disrespectful. They did not organize opposition or undermine the religious leaders. But in the name of Jesus Christ, they demonstrated the real power of God.
Empty religion can never abide the reality of the power of God working through the disciples of Christ. So, they came against them, arrested them, and tried to pressure them to stop preaching about the resurrected Christ.
In a sinful world such as we live in, following Christ may not bring us popularity. People may be offended, especially when they see the power of God at work within us. They may tell us to stop acting so strange, to go along with everyone else, and to fit in with their ways.
But there is no power in that. The work of God is done through those who walk in God's ways and give themselves completely to him. He then performs his acts of power through them in this world. Better to seek the presence and power of the living God than to seek the influence, status, and approval of the world. Generally, you cannot seek both.
Father, forgive me for the way I tend seek the approval and pleasure of people. May I live for you and be a channel of your grace and power.
Consider God's Word:
Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
Do you live your life for the glory and purposes of God or do the opinions of others carry great importance to you?
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