Read Acts 4:13-22
Key Verse: “And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.”” (Acts 4:14-16 CSB)
The Jewish leaders were in a bit of a bind. On the one hand, Peter and John were boldly declaring the resurrection of Jesus Christ and calling people to turn and follow Him. Thousands were hearing and believing the message, causing the Jewish leaders to become greatly annoyed and irked by it all.
“What should we do with these men?” (v.16), they asked themselves. They could threaten them with further punishment. They could order them to stop talking about Jesus. But the fact of the matter was that this whole ordeal started when a man who had been lame and unable to walk for more than forty years was now standing on his own two feet in their presence completely healed. Even if Peter and John listened to them and agreed to shut down all this Jesus talk, it would be hard to argue with the undeniable reality that stood before them. In the words of the religious leaders, “For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it” (v.16).
It’s hard to argue with a changed life.
As we seek to be men and women who, like the early apostles, are on mission and boldly declaring the good news of Jesus Christ to others, we will encounter people who won’t want to hear what we have to say. They may push back with arguments of their own on what they think is right and true. This is normal in a world that is hostile to the truth of Jesus Christ.
But no matter what the opposition looks like, it’s hard to argue with a life that has been radically transformed by Jesus. One of the most powerful tools you have, as you seek to be an effective witness for Christ, is an undeniably different life. An individual no longer gripped by fear or anxiety. A person set free from addiction. Someone filled with peace and joy even as they walk through a devastating loss. A marriage on the brink of ruin that has been fully restored. Only Jesus has the power to do these things.
How are you different since you first met Jesus? In what ways is God continuing to change you? Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Invite Jesus to continue to change you today so that His light shining through you would be obvious to all.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your power to change lives. I invite you to continue to transform me, so that as others see who I am becoming, it would be undeniable to them that you are who you say you are. May my life be an obvious sign to others of your grace and power. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
