Acts 4:1
“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.”
As they spoke … In the midst of their work. The attacks come to those who are doing something. When your life is centred around Jesus then you should not be surprised when people come up to you or in another translation ‘come on you’. Not everyone appreciates what you do.
The priests had been delighted to disprove the resurrection by saying the disciples had stolen the body.
The Sadducees didn’t believe in the possibility of any resurrection.
The captain of the temple guard was the controller, the one who made sure everything was done orderly in the Temple.
The problem was not that Peter and John believed in the resurrection, it was the fact they were telling other people.
More than contradicting the priests interpretation of the events and the Sadducees beliefs it destabilised their position.
Those who have the power. Those who are in control. Those who call the shots. Those who have the titles. They don’t like it when the cultural atmosphere changes. They don’t want to lose their hold over others. They don’t want to be ordinary. They don’t want to be humbled.
From the virgin birth to the resurrection many will say it didn’t happen and for those who say it did, well, they just may face opposition from those who face losing the most if it is true.
If this is true then how does it affect me?
The story of Jesus challenges some, it is more than a story, it is a game-changer. Some will throw the board-game in the air if they don’t get their own way.
Christmas and Easter, the highlights of that story can be difficult times for those re-telling it and for those who feel they are more important than they actually are.
Missions Paul 