Simply the Bible Blog

But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” (Acts 5.19, 20)

Some things are just too important to keep to yourself. A woman who has just accepted a proposal cannot help but show off her engagement ring and tell the story of her love. A person who has found a cure for a deadly disease cannot remain quiet while those around him are infected. Likewise, the apostles, who were filled with the good news of Christ’s resurrection, could not help but tell others–even when it meant risking their own lives.

The Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin) had threatened them not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus Christ, yet they had filled Jerusalem with their teaching. Miracles were being performed as people with various diseases were being healed. So when the chief priests could do no more to silence them, they arrested them. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out!

This would have been an ideal time to head for the hills! They could have kept the message to themselves and built a beautiful church building. That would have been safe; that would have been politically correct. But instead the angel told them, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” That would put them right back into the firing line of the Sanhedrin.

I am concerned for the church today. Somehow we have lost the passion to share all the words of this life. I fear that we have actually become ashamed of the gospel. Do we think that by our strategies and programs we can improve upon the word of God? Have we stopped speaking out because it puts us in the firing line of those who want us to keep our “religion” to ourselves? Could it be that the reason we keep silent is because we have lost faith in the words of this life? If we really believe that we have a cure for what is eternally killing humanity, then how can we keep quiet about it?

I long for Christians who love with self-effacing, self-sacrificing love and who boldly declare all the words of this life. Isn’t that the example of Jesus? When did He ever hold back the truth because it might offend? I know He acted with wisdom, but when did He ever keep quiet to protect Himself? When did He ever hide His agenda that He came to call sinners to repentance? He worked as a passionate physician tirelessly curing every disease-infected patient within His reach. No one was too far gone for Him to touch. No threat could silence His testimony.

True love can do no less.