Reflecting on Acts 4:1-22“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)
Those who have experienced God’s love in Jesus cannot help speaking about it.
Jesus and the Jesus Way are so radically different and superior to all others.
The way that this love blesses, heals and transforms people is incredible!
How can I not speak about this, I want everyone to know God this way!
Yet sadly, it is often the religious community that wants to silence this.
The disciples experience what Jesus experienced; the religious resistance to grace.
‘Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world!’
You may know this song, and I remember for being rebuked for using it in church.
Apparently this song went against their doctrine of election and predestination.
I was told not to use this song again… but I do anyway, and will continue to!
Peter is not just making a case for civil disobedience.
He is demonstrating what we should all do: witness to God’s gracious love in Jesus!
I still sense resistance to this gracious love – God cannot love those people.
Instead of freely giving what has been freely given, it is reserved for only some.
I cannot do this; I cannot help speaking about what I have seen and heard!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your radical gracious love can heal and help the most hardened and resistant, even the church. I refuse to stop singing, 'Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world!'