“The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is 

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:5-12

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Can you imagine the meeting the rulers, elders, High Priest, and teachers of the law had the next day? A few months ago, Jesus’ miraculous acts of compassion were convincing people that God’s Kingdom was here and now and yet Jesus was also confronting the authorities, insisting that God was working around them, not through them.

This was terribly dangerous, for all they had was their position of leadership. If that was threatened, there was nothing for them. The more the crowds listened to Jesus, the more urgently they wanted Him silenced.

But unlike most Messiah-type movements, Jesus’ death did not result in the end. His followers did not disperse, did not tremble in fear before a greater power. No, Jesus’ followers are right here, multiplying and continuing these confrontational acts of compassion at the temple. They have become convinced—and they are working to convince the people—that Jesus has the greater power.

So the leaders need to know: By what power or name do you do this?

Peter responds by telling it like it is: You have arrested us for an act of kindness. This is God’s kindness, and it is done through Jesus. God has exalted Him, and it is only in Jesus’ name that we are healed and saved.

The gospel-kernel is embedded right here. Those with power and authority will always fight to retain their position, and indeed, this is how Jesus was killed in the first place. Yet God is not like that. Jesus laid down His life for His enemies and God raised Him to life, making Him the cornerstone, exalting Him above all other names. God put a stamp of approval on Jesus to show the powerful and the vulnerable of the world that this is what God looks like. Not the one seizing and killing, but the one laying His life down in service and compassion.

As Paul will later say:

 

“Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:6-11

Yes, this is very good news for the people of Israel—and very bad news for those clinging to their positions. In Jesus, God has sided against them. And in Jesus, God is still performing Kingdom acts of compassion.

And God’s compassion will have the final word.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What does “by the name of Jesus” mean to you?
  • How is it good news that God has sided with Jesus over earthly powers and rulers?
  • What does this mean for us today? With whom are we siding?

 

Church Reading Plan: Ezekiel 28; Psalm 77