Acts; Prison Break

July 25

Read: Acts 5:12-41

Acts;

Prison Break!

“But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” (v.19,20)

An angel of the Lord comes to the apostles with this charge: “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Notice what it is that they are challenged to speak about … “this Life”. Now consider when and where this exchange takes place: in the middle of the night and IN PRISON. The Apostles had been arrested and put in prison for their ministry. These very same apostles spoken about earlier in this passage:

“Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…” (v.12-14)

These were the men who were now locked up because of their ministry, This is the sort of life they were living and this is “the Life” that the angel is calling them to speak about - namely LIFE IN CHRIST.

What a broad spectrum of life it was for the apostles… one moment walking the streets and your shadow healing the sick… the next locked up in a “public prison” cell… then eventually in a face to face conversation with an angel who springs you out! Then, when the apostles obey the instructions from the Lord and preach in the temple as they were told, they are reprimanded and beaten:  “when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” (v.40)  Now with all of that in mind, imagine being told to tell others what living “the Life” is like. What do you say to someone when you are describing LIFE in Christ? If you are an apostle, how do you sum up a life like that!? Here are a few things to consider from this passage:

1.) The people of God will always impact those whom they are around… or at least they should. (cf. v.12-6)

The apostles were out and about… moving in the midst of the people. They gathered together in “Solomon’s portico” and they would also move about the people in the streets. People were coming from far and wide to be near to what God was doing through his people. As odd as it may be, even Peter’s shadow was some how being used by God! Imagine that!? What follows in our “shadow” or wake as we pass through this life with Christ in us? Physical proximity mattered… at least then. God was literally drawing people together… nearer to one another… and the presence of those who had walked with Jesus the longest - the most mature in Christ, the apostles - was being used by God to radical teach, heal, and minister to the people. The message of Christ was going out with power and multitudes were being saved!

2.) As the people of God, we will experience both moments of great victory and power as well as moments of suffering and adversity.

The fact that the prison the apostles were thrown into was a “public prison” means that the people around them knew what was happening. The crowds knew that not only was Peter a part of miraculous healing and powerful teaching… but he was also subject to great suffering and adversity. Peter didn’t walk in to the crowd and only tell about the “exciting” parts of “the Life”. He couldn’t. Everyone knew that prison and beatings went along with Spirit filled teaching, miracles, and casting out demons!

3.) The Lord knows when and where you are “in prison” - in what ways you are trapped - and he will NOT leave you there; Jesus Christ has come to set you free!

An angel of the Lord comes and unlocks the prison door for the apostles. The things that were being used to try and trap the apostles… to try and keep them from living out life in Christ… “the Life” that is found in Jesus… they are dismantled and remedied by God’s messenger. Whatever or whomever seeks to bind up God’s ministry or thwart “the Life” that is being given in Christ will be overcome. The work of Christ is unstoppable. When we are living out our life in Christ and find ourselves hard pressed… feeling “locked up”… remember this moment. Jesus will make a way. In the same way that God set Israel free from Egypt, and an angel set the apostles free from prison, Christ has come to set us free from what seeks to enslave us. Christ will overcome whatever stands in the way of his ministry. When we are walking in faith - walking in the Spirit - and living “the Life” we need not fear what comes our way. (cf. “walk in” Eph, 2:10, Rom 8:4, Gal. 5:26)  Jesus carries us through … and out the other side.

4.) Christ in us brings joy and victory no matter our circumstances - supernatural “peace that surpasses understanding” (cf.Phil 4:6,7)

When the apostles were arrested, beaten, and grilled they responded with rejoicing.

“Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” (v. 41,42)

What? Somehow, these difficulties led them to rejoice. This is “the Life”… this is life in Christ. I am sure they felt the disappoint while in prison. I am sure they felt the pain when they were beaten. And yet - in the end they rejoiced and were spurred on to the ministry and work that God had given them.

This is what it looks like to live “the Life”. This is “the Life” that we proclaim… that we tell others about… that the apostles unashamedly declared in the temple and from house to house. This is life in Christ. The good and the bad. The miraculous and the normal. The wins and what seem like “losses”. It is not exemption from adversity - but perseverance through it. It is also NOT all drudgery - but includes gathering together, restoration, healing, and being freed up! Jesus is indeed the anointed one of God who has come to bring LIFE. Jesus is the “light and life of mankind”. (cf. John 1:4) This is what it looks like to live life in Christ. Go out and share with others what “this Life” is like. Love you guys. - JDP