MONDAY January 30, 2023

Jealous Opposition

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, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
Acts 5:17-18

Once again, as God was working among the people, opposition swiftly came. The religious leaders acting as old wine skins––not accepting a new work of God––could not stand it. When multitudes of people were being touched by the Lord, religious persecution came––how sad.

The high priest and those with him––the Sadducees who did not believe in the Resurrection––rose up against the work of God. Together, they laid hold of the Apostles and placed them in prison. They were filled with indignation. The word indignation means “zeal, an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy.”

The Jewish leaders saw the incredible miracles the apostles were doing among the multitudes, and they became fiercely jealous. They did not want these things done in the name of Jesus. Opposed to Christ, they zealously acted to take care of the threat the Apostles posed to their leadership over the people.

I remember in the early 60’s when the Hippie movement started. Pastor Chuck Smith began to welcome the Hippies into the church he pastored in Costa Mesa. Hippies with long hair, torn Levi’s, and dirty toes came barefoot into church. The Word of God was simply taught, and lives were transformed. Hippies were getting saved by the droves, but the churches surrounding Costa Mesa were very critical. Many people tried to limit the number of Hippies coming into their congregations. Imagine, they opposed a great move of God! He was pouring out His Holy Spirit. This era became known as the Jesus Movement.

God is still moving today. He pours His Spirit on the life of a pastor and a church. First He moves in one community and then another. People are saved. When this happens, opposition can come, even from religious leaders, churches, and college universities. When you make a stand and preach in the name of Jesus, expect to be opposed.

If you are going to walk with Jesus Christ, you are going to be opposed. In our days, to be a Christian is really to become a scandal.
~George Whitefield~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!