Thoughts On Finding Our Voice and the Topic of Power

"While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: "By what power or in what name have you done this?" Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders: "If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead; by him this man is standing here before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved." [Act 4:1-12 CSB]

Observations

• Who does what? 
• The people of religious authority are able to take Peter and John into custody simply because they are annoyed with them. Can you imagine if our government and/or religious leaders tried to do that today? LOL.
• Five thousand men who heard Peter's message believed in Jesus. 
• The High Priest and the High Priestly family had Peter and John stand before them and questioned them about the power and name in which they have healed a lame man. 
• The Holy Spirit fills Peter. 
• Peter responds (my version): Why are you questioning us about doing good for this man? If you must know, we did it in the name and power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who you are responsible for crucifying. He is the way of salvation for everyone." 

• What choices could have been made?
• The religious leaders could have left Peter and John alone, or figured out a more effective way to silence them! Instead, they gave them a bigger platform. 
• 5000 people could have chosen not to believe or could have simply ignored Peter. 
• Peter could have chosen to be silent about Jesus. 
• John could have tried to steal Peter's spotlight, after all, he really hasn't gotten to speak yet. It would be more fair if he got a turn! 
• I'm wondering: did the whole family of the High Priest really have to be at this questioning? They could have had one or two of those leaders question Peter and John. 

Applications:

• Today, do leaders ever abuse their power out of annoyance? Honestly, I think anyone who's ever handled any type of authority in an honest moment of reflection would have to answer yes. Now, it's true that we have a lot more accountability for people in with governmental authority now so they get in trouble (or at least called out) for any hint of an abuse of power, but as a mother, I think of times when my patience is running thin and my annoyance drives my decisions to discipline. I think of bosses in the workplace who overlook and undervalue certain employees simply because of personality differences and annoyances. I think of adolescents and their social hierarchy where they have developed their own form of punishment for their peers who are deemed "annoying." There are so many places for this to play out similarly, yet the irony is: in seeking to control in ways that are abusive, the leaders lose their control and give the stage to the very message they are trying to squelch. I know the abuse of power doesn't always turn out this way, and I wonder if it has something to do with those being abused finding their voice or having someone else speak up on their behalf.  
• Today, can people choose to ignore or believe the message of Jesus as their Savior? Yes, God has still given us that sovereign choice. The choice I see many making is to ignore the message. I feel like our world is so disillusioned, and desperately starving for true supernatural power like the power displayed by Peter and John early on in this story. I feel like I come from a generation that is tired of emotional highs and well-developed logical arguments... all of it feels subjective, and we are inundated with people who claim exact opposite "truths" everywhere we turn. Listening to it all, being responsible enough to do our own research, and trying to make sound decisions in the midst of it all while balancing the responsibilities of life is overwhelming. Sometimes, it's easier just to shut it ALL out. Or maybe I'm just speaking for myself...but I do sense that there is a deep hunger developing for the supernatural to be experienced (if it is indeed real) in our society. I know that in the end, there is no excuse when we stand before God. If you chose to ignore the salvation message, you will be held responsible for that choice, but I wonder if we are really doing our jobs as Christians if the world finds the gospel ignore-able? 

As always, thoughts, observations, challenges, and other applications are welcome! 

Blessings!

-Jordan