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
The disciples have just had a spiritual awakening. Having witnessed the resurrection of Jesus, their lives have been transformed and they want others to know the truth—even if it means imprisonment or death.
Celebrating the Easter event can be an experience of spiritual awakening and call that can change our life. Belief in God can be transformed into knowing. When we turn our will and our life over to God, we feel empowered. There is no turning back. Our fears are calmed and we are committed to follow Jesus. We feel motivated to face our limitations of mind and body. By God’s grace we understand that we are a part of something greater than ourselves and need to get our ego out of the way, to discover our true self—created in God’s image.
For the disciples and for us, a spiritual awakening is only the beginning of a life-long journey of learning the depths of God’s love for us and the many ways to manifest that love with one another.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the life-changing events that transform our lives and cause us to grow in faith and commitment to God’s will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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