Acts 4:18 – 22
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.
What’s your latest new toy/experience/life hack you find yourself telling people about? A thermomix? A tropical holiday? How to use those rubbery carrots at the back of the fridge (please send me your tip!). Sometimes you get so excited it just bubbles out of you like a shaken soft drink can!
In Daniel 6:25-27, King Darius bubbles over with amazement at the “Living God [who] endures forever…he rescues and delivers”. And with no facebook wall to post on, he instead writes a letter to “every people, nation and language who live on the whole earth”. In a similar vein, Peter and John saw Jesus, they saw him perform miracles. They saw him teach eager thousands. They saw him die on a cross, and then saw him alive again, along with hundreds of other witnesses. Could they shut up about God? “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 Even under threat, the news they had just bubbled over to those they spoke to.
What a brilliant picture of evangelism- not motivated by guilt to “do more evangelising”, not trying to impress someone with how spiritual they were – but bubbling over with the good news that Jesus, and Jesus alone, saved them and saves others!
What’s something about Jesus that really excites or connects with you? How might you let that bubble over into your conversations this week?
Dear Father,
Thank-you that in Jesus you _____________ (something you love about Jesus: “are perfectly just”, “died so I could be in your family”, “forgave me all my sins” etc)____________________ . Please captivate me with this good news, and allow me opportunities to bubble over about that with someone this week.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Danae Woodward
