1 May 2022 3rd Sunday of Easter
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘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.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority.
From Acts 5:27-32,40-41, NRSV
It is clear from today’s reading that the attempts of the Jewish authorities to suppress the teaching of the apostles has not been successful. In fact, their previous punishments have only served to embolden the apostles to speak out and they have now “filled Jerusalem” with their teaching. The Sanhedrin seem to be running out of ideas about how to cope with the apostles and so on this occasion not to speak in the name of Jesus before releasing them. We are told that the apostles were glad to have suffered at the hands of the Sanhedrin. This willingness to suffer in the name of Jesus by many across the centuries has ensured that the gospel message has continued to our own day.
- What do you suppose enabled the apostles and their successors to endure suffering willingly?
- Is persecution and inevitable part of being a Christian?
Give thanks for the freedom you have to express your faith and pray for those whose faith is suppressed or belittled.
