Scripture
Acts 5:27-32
Open your mind and heart as you read the passage of Scripture aloud and then again quietly to yourself. Listen for God’s word to you.
Observation
Acts 5:27-32
The Jewish religious leaders made several attempts to intimidate the disciples to stop them preaching the Gospel in Jesus’ name. But the disciples knew that God was protecting them so they did not allow themselves to be deterred. Peter and John had told the authorities they would continue to preach, in obedience to God. The High Priest’s accusation testified to the effectiveness of the disciples’ preaching. It seemed as if the Gospel message was everywhere.
The accusation that the disciples wanted to bring the blood of ‘this Man’ down on them was interesting. Firstly the High Priest refused to say the name of Jesus, and secondly he was right. The disciples did want to bring the blood of Jesus down on them but not as they imagined – they did not try to blame the leaders but they did want the blood of Jesus to cleanse them of their sin as they came to faith in Him.
Peter and John were adamant. They would obey God rather than any man. They did not defend themselves nor ask for mercy. They just explained what they were doing and why they were doing it.
Peter pointed out the enormity of the leaders’ rejection of Jesus. They would have known the Scripture which said that a person hung from a tree was cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Jesus had been killed by the Jewish authorities and the Romans in the worst possible way – on a tree – on a cross. Peter informed the leaders that he and John were eye-witnesses to the events he was talking about – as was God.
The council was furious. They decided to rid themselves of the disciples and began to plan their deaths.
Application
- What do you do when someone criticises you for something you believe God is telling you to do? How do you respond to them? Do you stop what you are doing or do you continue? Why do you react in this way? How does your reaction affect your relationship with God – and with your critic?
Psalm 118:14-29
The psalmist is surrounded by enemies but he knows that God Himself is his strength and song and quotes from the song Miriam sang (Exodus 15:2) to affirm his faith. Her song had been sung repeated by the Israelites and now it was sung again. The psalmist knew God would supply all his needs, would never disappoint him, would give him rest and save him. God would fill him with joy.
Having been blessed by God it was only right that people sang about the way God had rescued them. This psalm was sung at the Passover Seder (supper) and during the Feast of the Tabernacles. It is interesting to think that Jesus sang the same words ‘I shall not die, but live’ as He celebrated the last supper with His disciples. He knew He could trust God to fulfil His promises. Jesus knew death was not the end for Him. The psalmist knew he too would be saved.
The psalmist probably had the gates of Jerusalem in mind and he declares God’s righteousness as he goes through them. Jesus would have sung of the gates of heaven. In both instances the singers would have been accompanied by the righteous people of the earth.
Now the singers are in the city they are free to praise God for all He has done. Whilst we do not know David’s reason for singing about the cornerstone, we do know that Jesus fulfilled this prophesy, so it may have been a prophetic word David had received from God. The cornerstone or capstone was used to hold two stones in place to strengthen a corner or an archway. It was key to the strength of the building. Jesus, as the cornerstone, holds Jew and Gentile together; man and God together. In spite of being rejected, He was the chief cornerstone.
Once again, the people of God rejoice. Only He could do what He has done.
The day the Lord has made may apply to any day; but it may also connect by means of prophecy with the day Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.
The following words may have been said or sung by a different speaker or singer. The deliverer was welcomed into the city as he entered through the gates and went towards the house of the Lord. The word ‘save’ which is the request of the people is hosanna in Hebrew – exactly what the crowds had been crying out as Jesus rode into the city.
The next words are sung by the people who are already in the house of the Lord, who sing of ‘we’ rather than ‘I’. The sacrifice will be bound by cords to the altar. It is poignant to think of Jesus singing these words as He willingly offers Himself to be bound as the sacrifice for the entire human race.
Now we return to the voice of the traveller, the deliverer who sings of his praise to God.
The psalm began with praise and now it ends in the same way. There is no doubt in the singers’ minds that God’s loving kindness is constant for all God’s people.
Application
- What is your favourite praise song? Why do you enjoy it so much? What does it say about your relationship with God?
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