Yesterday I made the comment that Nicodemus was no wimp: I compared him to a carton figure who ruled on behalf of the law. And today we are in the Sanhedrin, which this translation chooses to call the Senate. The Council. The rulers of Jerusalem.
to be judged guilty by them would have been shameful for any Jew. So when the apostles say that they praised God that they were worthy to bear shame they were not using hyperbole, or inventing a consequence, but speaking the bare facts.
This is becoming more apparent during this time, this day. As a friend noted on Facebook.
The Muslims in the Middle East are just creating more Christian martyrs. They will have a feast day, one day, and be remembered forever by the Church.
But those very Muslims need to heed the words of Gamaliel. And if someone can tell me how to link to a Facebook comment, I’d appreciate it.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to 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.”
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
(Acts 5:27-42 ESV)
The issue that we have to consider is if we are working against the spirit of God. For some things it is fairly simple. The blood of the martyrs has always been a guide to who is oppressed and who is the oppressor, and we have a duty to succour and support our brothers. It is a time to help them, not worry as much about the other issues in the world.
The liberals seem to consider Christians and Jews as forgettable and but a statistic, while the death of the Yezhadis is a tragedy. Well, the death of the Yezhadis on a mountain surrounded by the most murderous Islamic force I can recall is a tragedy. The Aussie press yesterday nad a photo of the son of one of their Jihadists holding up the head of a man who had been killed by these fanatics, who neither acknowledge the rules of war or consider that war needs justification.
But the hundreds of thousands of Christians who have died… we have a duty to care. For those who are fleeing.
And to any Muslim who reads this, consider that the martyrs are before the throne of God, and God is just. It is indeed a fearful thing to fall into the hand of a living God. Gamaliel knew that. Do you?
Well said.