“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.“
Acts 4:23-31

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

This week, we’ve seen how the groundwork has been laid for all that is to come. We’ve seen how the story is unraveling just as Jesus’ story unraveled. The disciples are continuing Jesus’ ministry of teaching and compassion, which is inherently confrontational to those who hold religious authority and political power. And they explain, again and again, that God has sided with Jesus. That the gig is up. The Kingdom is here, now.

This is, of course, not where the story will end. But for now, Peter and John are back with the community of Jesus followers. Hearing all that has happened, they raise their voices in prayer.

In this moment of danger and upheaval, let’s take note of what the disciples and community of Jesus do not pray.

They do not pray that their enemies will be harmed or killed. They do not even pray that those plotting against their lives and wellbeing be stopped or silenced. They do not pray for their own safety or protection, or for a way out. They do make plans to leave the city, or go on the attack.

Instead, they bow before God in worship, acknowledging that the whole universe is His, and that everything that has happened was in God’s plan. Then, in light of the threat they face, they ask for boldness to continue doing what they have been doing. To continue to speak and teach. To continue healing the sick and performing acts that will startle the crowds into believing that God’s power has not sided with the authorities, but with the servant King. With Jesus, who gave up His life in love—even when facing suffering and death Himself.

And God’s response? When they finished praying, the room shook. The Spirit filled them with boldness to continue speaking, and (as we will see in the following verses) the power to live so generously that there was not one needy person among the thousands of them.

Terrible times are ahead for this community. But as the story unfolds in the weeks ahead, remember this moment. Remember how surely they continued Jesus’ ministry, how clearly they counted the cost, and how confidently they turned to God as Jesus did: not to fight their enemies but to continue the work of love and compassion, proclaiming that God had exalted Jesus and that life could be found only in following Him.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What stands out to you in the disciples’ prayer?
  • What is your tendency in prayer when faced with trouble?
  • Where do you see boldness and love in the disciples that was not there before Jesus’ death and resurrection?
  • What makes the difference?

 

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, September 27: Ezekiel 30; Psalm 78:40-72
  • Saturday, September 28: Ezekiel 31; Psalm 79
  • Sunday, September 29: Ezekiel 32; Psalm 80