Acts 5:27-32 (NRSV)
Read Acts 5:27-32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 27When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, Verse 28saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." Verse 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. Verse 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. Verse 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Verse 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
Devotion
Feared. Threatened. Arrested. Killed, in some cases. Life as an apostle of Jesus certainly doesn’t seem fair. And here we find Peter and company questioned and harassed (again) for even mentioning Jesus’ name – for doing exactly what they were commanded to do by God. And yet this exchange clearly shows that the apostles are not alone. Nor are we. Proclaiming Christ crucified in this world, even today, can be terrifying. But the Holy Spirit is with us, just as in the time right after Jesus’ death.
It’s kinda like being asked to play a pick-up game of basketball with your classmates in grade school. While you may not be able to dribble or pass the ball, much less even shoot, you’ve brought a friend to help ... a guy named Michael Jordan. It almost isn’t fair.
So too is life with our friend the Holy Spirit! Even when it doesn’t seem entirely fair.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, we thank you that we are never alone. Bless us with your presence, and help us to boldly proclaim that you are our Lord. Amen.