"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. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead." Acts 4:1-2 (NIV)
My world was turned upside down the day that I learned that professional wrestling was phony and fake. I was devastated to learn that my favorite wrestlers were part of a conspiracy to let some win and some lose. I was in my early teens when I discovered that Verne Gagne, The Crusher, The Bruiser, and Mad Dog Vashon were getting paid to win and lose in a scripted and choreographed wrestling match. How could this happen?
I felt like I had lost something, and my whole world perspective changed on that day. I felt like this one time before, when I learned that Santa Claus was actually my dad.
The world had been turned upside down for the Jewish priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees the day that they learned that Jesus was alive from the dead. The Bible says that all three groups were greatly disturbed about the apostles' teaching about the resurrection of Jesus. The priests refused to believe because it meant that they had missed the Messiah's first advent. The captain of the temple guard did not want to believe because the priestly leadership played a major role in the crucifying Jesus, turning him over to Pilate to be killed. Finally, the Sadducees did not want to hear about a resurrection because it would upset their teachings and beliefs that there was no resurrection. Each had a stake in keeping a lid on the truth of the resurrection. They wanted the truth to be silenced because by accepting it they would have to change.
What truth in God's word is changing your life? What disturbance in your life has God allowed to shake you up? He wants to change you for His glory and your welfare. Are you resisting? Is there a lid on something in your private life? Accept the truth. It "will set you free," (John 8:32 NIV).
John Cordova is on the pastoral staff at Grace Fellowship Church in Brooklyn Park, MN and a member of the BoldPath team.
The world had been turned upside down for the Jewish priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees the day that they learned that Jesus was alive from the dead. The Bible says that all three groups were greatly disturbed about the apostles' teaching about the resurrection of Jesus. The priests refused to believe because it meant that they had missed the Messiah's first advent. The captain of the temple guard did not want to believe because the priestly leadership played a major role in the crucifying Jesus, turning him over to Pilate to be killed. Finally, the Sadducees did not want to hear about a resurrection because it would upset their teachings and beliefs that there was no resurrection. Each had a stake in keeping a lid on the truth of the resurrection. They wanted the truth to be silenced because by accepting it they would have to change.
What truth in God's word is changing your life? What disturbance in your life has God allowed to shake you up? He wants to change you for His glory and your welfare. Are you resisting? Is there a lid on something in your private life? Accept the truth. It "will set you free," (John 8:32 NIV).
John Cordova is on the pastoral staff at Grace Fellowship Church in Brooklyn Park, MN and a member of the BoldPath team.
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