Acts 5:27-32 (NRSV)
Read Acts 5:27-32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 27When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, Verse 28saying, "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." Verse 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. Verse 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. Verse 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Verse 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
Devotion
Christ is risen! The good news just rolls off the tongue; we might even still be hearing the trumpets sound. Acts invites us into stories of Peter and the Apostles as they have been out witnessing to the gospel, preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. Their jubilant confessions have landed them in trouble with the authorities—three times. And their response? To proclaim the gospel.
We are called to give our life to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That call implies death and resurrection—that means being used up in our vocations because we believe by the grace of God in what we preach and teach. When we do not believe, we are called to pray for a preacher like Peter to come to us as well—to hear our brokenness, to hear our confession, so that we can continue to live in the promise of the resurrection.
Prayer
Risen Christ, as we go out into the world to share the good news of your resurrection, strengthen us in our call. Use us in our vocations for your glory and restore us in times of hardship among those who seek to use their power to silence the good news. In your name we pray. Amen.