THURSDAY February 2, 2023
Fear, Guilt and Frustration
Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
Acts 5:26-28
The captain went with the officers and brought the Apostles without violence to the council. Why were they so careful in their arrest? They feared the people. They kept things as peaceful as possible, just in case they caused the people to riot. They did not want to place themselves in harm’s way. If multitudes of people became agitated, they could be stoned to death.
With the Apostles now standing before the council, the Jewish religious leaders were going to attempt to prosecute them. They first confronted them for their open disobedience in preaching in the name of Jesus. They had strictly forbidden them to do so. In anger, they voiced their frustration. Pointing the finger of blame at the Apostles, they wanted them to look at what they had done in Jerusalem. The Apostles were guilty of filling the city with their doctrine of lies. The Jewish leaders outright rejected the doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ. They also felt very uneasy about being accused of shedding Jesus’ innocent blood.
Do you think the high priest and those with him felt guilty? You bet. They knew they had Jesus killed. They must have thought that once Jesus was dead, that would be the end of it. Now they were hearing and seeing a revival in Jesus’ name! Basically, all they cared about was keeping their flawless reputations intact before men. They wanted no one to challenge their powerful positions over the people. What about their hypocritical, murderous hearts before God?
The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
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