Simple Truth, Big Encouragement

I was reading a passage this morning in Acts chapter 5 that I've read through before - this time with my vow of being intentional with every single word I read - and a simple truth really encouraged me.

In Acts 5, the high priests of Jerusalem and their sadducee friends have arrested the apostles and put them in jail for going around and telling everyone about Jesus. However, an angel of God busted them out of jail and told them to go to the temple to continue doing what they do - give the message of life! Of course this ticks off the high priests who go and arrest them again and question them saying, "didn't we tell you never again teach in Jesus' name?" To this, of course, the apostles remind them that they obey God rather than human authority - their God who put Jesus in the place of honor at God's right hand as Savior to give the people an opportunity to turn from their sins and turn to God so they'd be forgiven.

Here's the part that rocked my world and really encouraged me. A religious leader named Gamaliel stood up and addressed his colleagues, reminding them of a couple leaders back in the day that pretended to be great people and had pretty big followings but "their whole movements came to nothing." In verse 38, Gameliel give his this advice:

"Leave these men alone...if they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God."

At the end of the passage, the apostles yet again got beat up for their beliefs and were told to never speak of Jesus again, yet "everyday, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: the Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."

Be encouraged today - there have been many "important" people that had followings but their movements have amounted to nothing. Here we stand, 2000 years later with God's word and all His promises standing true.

The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus. The hope, the void that needs filling, the happiness, the peace, the forgiveness, the joy, the freedom you are looking for is Jesus. Be encouraged in a God who will forever reign.