“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.“
Acts 4:1-4
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
A forty-something year old disabled man, recognizable to anyone who comes to the temple (namely, everyone), is suddenly healed. He’s jumping all over the temple area praising God.
What wonderful, wonderful news! A man, healed. A person unable to care for himself or provide for himself, restored. And all glory given to God! Right there at the temple! This is good news indeed, the very best.
And so it was received. As Peter and John explain to the crowd what happened, many who heard the message believed, and the community of Jesus-followers grew by leaps and bounds (pun intended). Can you imagine such an exciting day!
Yet for some this was not good news, and we should ask ourselves: Why not? The priests, captain of the temple guard, and Sadducees were “greatly disturbed.” Not by the healing per se, but in the claim that Jesus brought resurrection.
Later this week, we’ll look more closely at why this point in particular disturbed those in charge. But for now, consider how closely this story tracks with Jesus’ own time on earth. In the midst of His healing and teaching ministry, the men in authority became increasingly disgruntled. Jesus’ claim (and now Peter and John’s claim) was that God’s Kingdom was turning everything upside down. A new way of life had been instituted. Now, the poor, hungry, and suffering would be blessed, while “woes” would be poured upon those who were comfortable.
This is going to be good news for some…and hard news for others. Those who benefit from society as it is now will resist Jesus’ message to the death.
But those desperately longing for relief will shout for joy at this good news.
“Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Luke 6:20-26
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- How do you feel when you hear Jesus’ good news?
- Does it sound good to you, or does it make you anxious?
- How do we who are comfortable and influential in society alter Jesus’ words to feel less threatened by His teachings about God and the Kingdom?
Church Reading Plan: Ezekiel 27; Psalm 75-76