WEDNESDAY - JUNE 17

Read. Acts 4:1-4
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them. 2 They were incensed that the apostles were teaching the people and announcing that the resurrection of the dead was happening because of Jesus. 3 They seized Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. (It was already evening.) 4 Many who heard the word became believers, and their number grew to about five thousand.

Reflect. Today we read the reaction of the people to Peter and John healing the man and to the witness that is shared. The response is basically two-fold. The leaders of the temple are “incensed” by what Peter and John are doing. And much of the ordinary people in the crowd believe the message Peter is sharing and become followers of Jesus. In fact, 2000 additional people join the Jesus movement, growing the numbers to about 5000. 

• What do you think is behind the response of the temple leaders? They are the ones supposed to be teaching and leading, but yet it seems Peter and John are entering their “house” and encroaching on their turf. Have you ever felt this way? What do you think it would have been like to be a temple leader and see your influence fade away? 
• Why do you think they put Peter and John in prison? Even if you haven’t been in jail or in prison, can you identify with this hardship? Can you identify with doing what is right but feeling that you are suffering because of it? What do you think Peter and John are thinking? How do you feel when this happens to you? 

Pray. Saving God, help me to have faith like Peter and John, guide me to persevere in faith even when things get hard. Amen.


COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST


Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Terry Kibler. Carolyn Harlow.