God Has My Back
When I was talking about our remarkable source of strength and boldness in my last article, found here, I used the story of Peter and John standing before the temple leaders after the healing of the crippled beggar. I love to consider all the aspects of this story, from thinking about what the temple leaders were feeling emotionally as they tried to silence the young, unschooled believers to what Peter and John were thinking as they were the center of attention for this accusing court of religious leaders.
We can read about these leader’s reaction in Acts 4:13-14:
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”
This had to be a crazy moment for these leaders. These are the same leaders who orchestrated Jesus’ crucifixion and were probably proud of their abilities to manipulate circumstances to their choosing. Yet, standing before them are a couple of unschooled, ordinary guys causing a huge stir over the healing of a crippled beggar. To add an additional twist to the situation, the healed man was standing with them.
Remember, this is a guy who had a regular spot at the temple gate, daily begging for his livelihood. The regular visitors to the temple knew this man. The temple leaders knew this man. The reason there was such a stir in the temple crowd was because everyone recognized this man as the crippled beggar, but then he was standing, walking, and probably dancing through the crowd. The temple leaders could not deny the healing, nor could they claim credit or gain financially from the events.
I wonder when the leaders started to realize they lost the game? Was it at the moment when Jesus died, there was an earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, and a sacred curtain in the temple was ripped in two (without anyone touching it)? Or, was it when they looked at Peter and John standing next to a healed man proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ?
This is where I like to consider what Peter and John were thinking as they saw the look of resignation on the high priest’s face, knowing there was nothing the high priest could do to stop them from preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. I like to think Peter was bold enough to wink at John and whisper, “If they only knew… they think we were with Jesus weeks ago. They don’t realize we were with Jesus in the Upper Room after His resurrection. They don’t know He was with us when we prayed this morning. How can they know He is with us no matter where we go?”
Peter probably did not say these words, but I like to think he said something similar. Why? Because this is the attitude men and women get when they spend time with Jesus. Even when their time is through, Jesus is with them wherever they go… a lasting, continuous source of confidence and boldness.
Don’t confuse this with self-righteousness, judgmental airs, or condemnation of others. This is what was facing Peter and John in the temple courts, and what faces many new believers in the church. This is what inoculates would-be believers against Christians or Christianity, because really, who needs that garbage? Obviously, Peter and John didn’t need it.
I love their response when the high priest ordered them to stop talking about Jesus Christ. We find their words in Acts 4:19-20:
“But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”
When you spend time with God, He becomes your source for confidence and strength. Your boldness comes from knowing God has your back.
Have you spent time with God today?
Glenn Sasscer
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