Setting The World On Fire For Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For July 26, 2005

Read: Matthew 26:69-75; Acts 5:17-42

SETTING THE WORLD ON FIRE FOR JESUS

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)

Fear has to be one of the most debilitating emotions in the world. It gnaws at your insides and readies the body to take flight. Fear isn't easily denied because it affects both the mind and the body. When dangers arise, fear kicks in to keep us safe. Yet that same fear, if unchecked, can lead to immobility and even greater danger. As Peter watched Jesus going before the Sanhedrin, mocked by the soldiers and sent to Pilate, his fear grew. Standing in the Temple courtyard, he was so betrayed by his fear that, when recognized by some of those present, he denied Jesus--the very thing he'd sworn he'd never do. So profound was his fear that he swore his denial with an oath, giving his denial finality and calling God to be a witness to his lie and his fear.

Fast forward a few months. We see Peter and John arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin because of their witness to Jesus. They are ordered to be quiet, to stop witnessing, threatened with the full force of the power and influence of the elders of the people. With courage and great boldness Peter and John boldly challenged that learned and august body. They could not be stopped from proclaiming Christ as Lord and Savior. Jailed or not they were no longer held or overwhelmed by fear. Filled with the Spirit, they, and all the disciples of the Christ, would boldly proclaim Jesus, no longer held captive to fear. In our current milieu, Mel Gibson, the producer of last year's hit movie, "The Passion of Christ," boldly and courageously subjected himself to ridicule and derision. His faith in Christ led him to produce a movie about Jesus' suffering and death for the sins of the world in a way that is graphic and bold. It's instructive to see how the "experts" have derided him, and "theologians" have ridiculed him. If Mel Gibson was in any way anonymous before, now anonymity isn't an option. Many felt this movie would cost him his "career," yet a year later his name is still in the news. While this movie grossed a huge amount of money, the real impact is the example that it has set for God's people in Christ. For us there is no other option but bold witness, for we profess the name of "Jesus."

We share the courage and boldness of faith of Peter and John, Paul and the other Apostles, and the Body of Christ throughout the ages. Along with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who boldly and courageously share the name of Christ, we seek to "set the world on fire" for Jesus by the power of His Word and Spirit. Our faith in Christ, God's special and precious gift to us moves us to fearless witness. We don't fear the world or what it thinks or says about us because we belong to Christ. No one can take us away from our Father's love, nor remove us from the safety of His loving arms. We relish the opportunities God gives us each day to proclaim His love and forgiveness for the world in Jesus Christ. We can try to be anonymous, as Peter was in the Temple courtyard, or we can be bold and courageous as he and John were when they went before the Sanhedrin. All the faithful people of God know that the power of God's Word and Spirit, placed in our hearts through Baptism, and nurtured by the Spirit throughout our lives, gives us the boldness and courage that is so necessary for our effective witness to Christ's love and forgiveness. Like the Apostles, we too are taken from fear to boldness by the Holy Spirit. Like the Apostles, we too are empowered to "set the world on fire" for Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You have overcome the power of Sin in my life through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm no different from Peter, Father, for I, too, am so often immobilized with fear when the opportunities to declare Your praises are offered. I may not have denied Jesus in the same way Peter did, but my words and actions that have failed to show love or obedience to You have done the same thing. And, just like Peter, I, too, have wept bitterly over my sins. And, just as You did for Peter, You have looked at me, forgiven me, and strengthened my faith. Let my faith grow so that I might live with courage and hope, speaking of Your love and forgiveness with confidence. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. ****************************************************
--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.