Unstoppable! 'Ineffective Threats' — Acts 4:21-22

Thursday, March 2, 2023

The council then threatened [Peter and John] further, but they finally let them go because they didn't know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign — the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.
— Acts 4:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

The people who had shouted for the Romans to crucify Jesus had not accomplished their intended objective of silencing Jesus' message. Jesus rose from the dead after three days. He was seen by too many people to deny his resurrection. Those witnesses to Jesus' resurrected body were then emboldened like never before. Threats didn't stop them. Beatings didn't stop them. Throwing them in jail didn't curb their passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus. Now, the crowds of people were supporting them. Every point of leverage, every threat the ruling council made, became nothing more than an ineffective threat in the face of Jesus' unstoppable resurrection power.

Today's Prayer

O Father, in our day, we need to experience Jesus' presence and be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to declare the Good News about Jesus shamelessly, but strategically. We ask for your help as we pray to you in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV
  • 2 Timothy 4:4-8

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:21-22 NLT — The council then threatened [Peter and John] further, but they finally let them go because they didn't know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign — the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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