Slices
Prepare
This is a time to be with Jesus. He is with us all the time and in all places. Pause now to focus on his astonishing promise: ‘I am with you always, to the very end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20).
Bible passage
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
Explore
Once, at a party, I stood with two very eminent doctors – and there was I, a struggling freelance PR consultant! I chuckled at the thought that I was a spin doctor among physicians. I felt intimidated by their intellectual achievements, even though they were both humble and self-effacing. Comparing ourselves to others is always a joyless endeavour and this reading exposes the flaw in our attempts to be at the top of the pecking order.
Faced with Peter and John’s persuasive words and stunning miracles, I can hear the scorn in the religious leaders’ put-down. These men are illiterate and ignorant (v 13)! What have they got to offer us? And they had a point. It’s highly likely that neither of them could read or write and they were utterly unfamiliar with the rhetorical skills of the Temple. And yet their critics noted that they had been with Jesus. The indisputable power at work in their lives was apparent for all to see. If nothing else, the healed man was still there (v 14), a living testimony to the power of the risen Christ.
Respond
Pray with Paul the apostle in these famous words: ‘But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ’ (Philippians 3:7).
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Kings 16,17; Psalms 58,59
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Sarah Bowey, Sports Mission Pioneer in the north east, as she encourages more churches to have a vision for working with the 95 through sport. She asks that young people will, through the medium of sport, move from exploring the gospel to responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow him.
It's Your Move
Could you help a child navigate their way to secondary school?
Giving a copy of It’s Your Move to a child in Year 6 can help support a them in taking the next steps as they head to secondary school. Filled with top tips, advice and guidance from children who have already made the move, this backpack essential makes a great end of term gift.
