David Bahn - Reflections

We properly speak about the life of the world to come. It will be truly glorious where we will have glorified resurrected bodies and enjoy the perfect paradise of God, the garden of true godly pleasures. We look forward to that, truly. But we still live here for a purpose. We must not ignore the needs of others, hiding behind a thin veil of spirituality. God cares about our needs now and throughout all eternity. We must remain heavenly minded while we do all we can on earth to serve our neighbor. We must do both.

It's most sad when brothers and sisters in the faith begin to question or challenge one another's motives, ideas, or genuineness of of faith. That soon sets one or the other apart from the faith. Those from the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves, however, do just that. And Stephen will stand in the gap for the faith. We know it will cost him his life. His commitment to the truth of the Gospel is commendable.

As long as we are on this side of eternity, we will have to contend with those who wish to silence the truth. Hopefully it will not lead to our martyrdom. I am thankful for the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace that God has allowed me to experience over these past years. And I am thankful for those who uphold the truth of the Gospel for the glory of Christ and the blessing of their neighbors. 

The message of Jesus was being spread from Jerusalem, into Judea and Samaria, and soon it will spread to the ends of the earth. And with that will come conflict, challenge, misunderstanding, and struggle. We all wish it were not so. It would be so good if we could all just get along. But until Jesus returns we will be a part of the church militant. We will struggle throughout our days. And we will need the Holy Spirit's succor to sustain us in faith, hope, and love. May it be so!

The disciples prayed for boldness to bring the message of the Kingdom of God to all people. There is an edge to their prayers; an implied desire for God to judge these enemies of the gospel; perhaps even to bring their plans down around their own heads.

But the main point of their prayer is that they would be bold messengers of Jesus’ death and resurrection. When it comes time for God to stretch out his hand, they pray that it would be stretched out in grace, performing miracles of healings, signs and wonders. All this to the glory of Jesus. All this so that Jesus would be more and more famous.

There are those who align themselves against our Lord. There are those who mock Jesus. Some people deride his teachings and ways. People want nothing of his reign and rule. They will chart their own course. They will make their own plans. Jesus is, for them, a non-factor, an interesting religious character, perhaps an example of a committed life, or a pattern of doing good to those in need. In their minds he is only one of many. They consider Buddha, Confucius, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, or even Bill Gates as more relevant to our current world.

But they are wasting their time. One day all that Jesus has taught and done, all who believe in him against all odds and every persecution, all those churches that have been dismissed as detriments to society will be vindicated. Every eye will see Jesus. He reigns over all, and his reign and rule is not to be set aside.

When this man who is 40 years old reports that he has been healed – or when the people see this 40 year old man now walking – they know something really happened. This isn’t a last-minute plant, who miraculously gains his sight. This isn’t an insider who is pretending to have won the giant teddy bear at the carnival. They’ve seen this man for years, struggling to get by. He’s old enough not to be taken in. This is the real deal.

Praise can prevent further incursions of evil and trouble. That's what happens here when the people's praise prevented the enemies of the gospel from taking further action against Peter and John.

When the people saw what God had done for the lame man, they rejoiced and praised God. Did they realize the farther-reaching implications of their praise? Do you, when you praise God and give him the glory he deserves? 

We don't have quite that level of hearing and seeing. But we have heard the Good News of Jesus' love, grace, salvation, and mercy. We have seen lives changed. We have come to recognize his complete commitment to the salvation of the world and ongoing work in the lives of believers. We've seen prayers answered. We've heard a word of grace and forgiveness. We've knelt at the rail and received his body and blood. We've seen the boldness of others who have spoken out in the face of ridicule and threat of worse. Once in a while we see things we cannot ignore. Sometimes we hear words that must be repeated. When that happens, we can join Peter and John and give our witness in our own way. 

It may not be the way of Peter's brashness. It might be the gentler way of John. But let it be the way God works in you, how he has touched your heart, and enlightened your soul. Let it be as real as Jesus' work in your heart and life. 

A "mic drop" is a gesture indicating that the last word has been said. There is no more need for comment. People have died because they carried the message of Jesus to new lands and people. But it does not stop God from growing his kingdom. It will not keep his people from witnessing to the truth and grace of Jesus of Nazareth.

There will be a mic drop to end all mic drops on the great last day. Those who criticize and ridicule Jesus’ followers, and those who deny Jesus’ reign and rule will be silenced. The only words that will be spoken then will be words of praise, honor, glory, blessing, and joy before the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever and ever. Amen (mic drop!)

God uses ordinary people for his extraordinary purposes so that we do not boast. It's also so that people will not rely on just one person, or believe that their favorite pastor, teacher, or mentor is the only one through whom God can work. 

What distinguished these men was the impact that Jesus had on them. They had been with Jesus and it showed. Want to be extraordinary? Spend time with Jesus and he will do extraordinary things through you. That's what he does. The extraordinary mission of God is carried out by ordinary people who have spent time with Jesus.