Daily Bread

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

'Obedience to God' put Peter and the other apostles in direct conflict with the Jewish authorities, but they had a choice. They could have kept the peace by being obedient to the law (the court order) and doing as they had been instructed, but they chose instead to be obedient to God.

Looking more closely at the text, the authorities were less worried about Peter and the apostles preaching about Christ — after all, it was a multicultural society where there were many religions and practices. No, the problem was that it called into question the authorities themselves — accusing them of the unjust murder of a Jewish rabbi.

In our culture, for the most part, we are able to speak freely about Jesus Chris, and the love of God, but where there is dissension, it is often when, through our obedience to Christ, we criticise the human authorities themselves — their laws and actions.

For example, where I live in Bermuda, same gender marriage and civil partnerships are illegal, yet I believe with all my heart that mercy triumphs over judgment, that there is freedom in Christ, and that same-gender marriage (or at the very least, same-gender civil partnerships) should be legalised. When I speak out about this, it puts me in direct conflict with the human authorities.

Or take single-use plastics or the use of fossil fuels, the use of which damage our environment. They are legal in most territories and endorsed by the human authorities, but I am convinced that damaging creation and wasting resources is not Godly. To speak out against the use of oils and plastics puts us in direct conflict with the human authorities.

It's always much, much easier to keep one's head down and mind one's own business, but we are called to be ambassadors for God — to proclaim Jesus Christ as Saviour and be conduits for God's love. The question is, will we stick our necks out?

Holy God
May I always seek to be obedient to you,
even when iI find it uncomfortable or difficult.
Help me to honour your ways,
and be true to the values of your kingdom.
When I find conflict within myself,
may I remember that mercy triumphs over judgment.
Through the power of your Spirit, may I never stop loving
and being the witness you have called me to be.
Now and forever.