Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Wednesday prior to Easter 2

 

Acts 5:12–32Faith in the Risen Lord – From fear to faith

Easter is a season and not merely one Sunday or one Festival only. The Sundays are called “Sundays of Easter” rather than “Sundays after Easter.” Easter is a season of Fifty days coming to a close on Pentecost. Between Easter and Pentecost there should be a plateau of continuing interest and activity in the church. If Easter is real and the resurrection is a fact, church activity should increase rather than decrease. Preaching is essential to the Church’s mission we proclaim a living and changeless Christ to a changing world.

The story related by Luke in this week’s first lesson is a gripping one as the early followers of Jesus clash with the Temple leadership and are brought before the Council. This is the same Sanhedrin which had condemned Jesus to death. Peter pulls no punches in his speech, telling the rulers that it was they who killed the Messiah. Notice the warning that Gamaliel gives the Sanhedrin; “Let the men alone, for if they are of God they will prevail,” to the detriment of the Sanhedrin!

Jesus remained a threat to the Temple authorities, even after He had ascended to heaven. Here, the apostle Peter is jailed for performing miracles in the name of Jesus. After he is miraculously freed by an angel of God, he is summoned before the Jewish council. Peter, filled with strength that comes only from God, boldly asserts, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Almighty God, through the resurrection of Your Son You have secured peace for our troubled consciences. Grant us this peace evermore that trusting in the merit of Your Son we may come at last to the perfect peace of heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. -[2] 20 April, 2022



[2] Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis


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