Observation: We see the early church being persecuted, which includes Herod having executed James and now preparing to execute Peter. When Peter escapes with the help of an angel, this is his reaction. First, he credits the Lord for his rescue. Then, he considers who is opposed to the him ... yes, it is Herod, but he is doing this to appease the Jews, and Peter declares that this persecution and his near-execution is the result of "everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen."
Keep in mind, Peter has now been the first apostle to witness the conversion and Holy Spirit baptism of Gentiles. He will be part of several key conversations in the future about the dynamic of having Gentile believers. However, the apostles at this time are primarily communicating the gospel to Jews. Now, Peter stands on a city street, and confesses that what the "Jewish people" are "hoping would happen" is the execution of Christians.
This had to be a hard realization, but it also represents a firm turning point. Church leaders now realize that there are some Jews whose hearts are so hardened - their necks are so stiff, and they so want to wrestle with God - that they would rather kill their fellow Jews than believe the Messiah (whom they have hoped for) was Jesus.
Application: This is a difficult thing to understand about all mankind in general ... often, they wish there was a way to make their lives better, but will then fight (even violently) against the Lord and his instructions and plans.
Yes, I can think of 20 different ways this applies to society today, but those are mostly other people's issues. I need to instead ask myself ... are there areas of my life in which I am dug-in fighting against the Lord, and if I just relented and agreed with his will my life would immediately be easier? In fact, let's make this exercise specific ...
Am I fighting to continue my career so I can pad my money and retirement, when I should just let it go and trust the Lord for my future?
Am I rejecting the Lord's gentle guidance to take care of my body, and thus by my laziness and sloth I am leading myself into a time of physical pain and problems?
These are two areas I am concerned about. I am not sure about either. I am not certain I hear the Lord's guidance and teaching in my life related to these items, so I am not really being intentional about what I'm doing in these aspects of my life. Maybe I'm not hearing him because I'm fighting him at some internal level.
Prayer: Lord, I don't want to be like those who fight against you aggressively and openly. I want to receive your direction, and obey. Amen.
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