If you have ever been to the doctor and had your reflexes tested you know what it is like to do something over which you have no control. When the doctor taps your knee with the mallet your leg jerks. If you have ever tried to stop a yawn, control your hiccups, or stop breathing for a long time you are familiar with uncontrollable actions.
Such is the case with the followers of Jesus after the resurrection. What had the ruling religious leaders told the disciples NOT to do? What did they do? What reason is given in verse 29? What reason is given in verse 32?
The Sanhedrin mentioned in this passage is like a high court of the Jewish religion. These were religious leaders and teachers who convened and had authority over the people the same way a court of law would today. They wanted the apostles, the disciples and other believers, to stop talking about Jesus and all that he had taught. They were getting people all riled up.
But the apostles were not able to obey this command. It is also probably true that they did not want to obey the command, but in his response Peter declares that what they were doing was no longer under their control. God had moved them to preach and teach and there was no way to stop it.
Peter points out that many of them were witness to the crucifixion and resurrection. They had known Jesus. They had heard him teach. They had seen him after he rose from the dead. This was reason enough for them to be preaching about Jesus.
But he also includes others who were teaching about Jesus. Even those who had not known Jesus in the same way the disciples did were filled with the Holy Spirit. With the presence of the Holy Spirit they were convicted of the truth about Christ and were also moved to preach about him. They believed even though they had not seen.
Yet in their belief they were able to see the holiness of Jesus. They had not witnessed with their eyes. They had seen Christ in their hearts with the aid of the Spirit.
We are unable to be witnesses to the bodily form of Jesus. We have not seen Christ. Yet we should believe in him. We should know that he is Lord and Savior. And in this knowing, in this believing, we can see Christ in our hearts.
And with the vision of Jesus in our hearts, a vision that comes from belief, we also will be compelled to share the good news of the resurrection. We will not be able to control ourselves if we truly have faith.
DAILY CHALLENGE: What will help you believe in Jesus?
