Scripture - Acts 5:17-21 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." 21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Observation - The world never wants the power of God to be displayed. The high priest couldn't handle the fact that the Apostles were advancing the kingdom and were praying that people were set free. It was causing a buzz in the community and God was blessing all around. Jesus was setting people free and was healing the sick and those that were tormented were being released. The world is always going to look at this with indignation. When God decides to pour out power on His people, it will always cause indignation and frustration amongst those that are against Him. It is amazing that even though the Apostles were put in jail, God wanted his message of life to go forth. No matter what obstacle is before us - when God wants it not even the jail can stop the work of God. The jail cell was opened and the Apostles were instructed to go into the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life. The full message. We are in jail to too many things and are being released to tell the full message of this new life.
Application - I was just thinking early this morning, how many things try to trap us and put us in jail, emotionally and spiritually. How many times we are moving forward for God and along comes someone or some thing that tries to capture us and keep us from the forward movement of God's message of new life. This life is full of things that will get in your way and trap you. I need to break out of jail, so to speak. Nothing can stop me. When God has ordained the message - even the jail cell can be opened and I will be instructed to make it to the center of the city to tell the full message. There is new life and everyone in our city needs to hear it.
Prayer - God let nothing stand in the way of your word. Let it be that you move your message forward despite the physical, emotional and mental jails that we are put in. Move the full message forward and help me to be obedient and walk into the center of the temple courts.
