April 28, 2017
Still miffed as to what to do with those zealous Apostles of Jesus, A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. . . .
I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts_5:34-42
Out of the emotional anger and hatred of a band of self-centered Jewish leaders, comes the voice of reason, the voice of experience, something they all should have had. Gamaliel, as we later learn, was the teacher/mentor of none other than Saul, the great Christian persecutor. The same Saul who would, in time, become one of the greatest Christian evangelists, St. Paul.
Sometimes, beloved, the voice of reason comes to all of us. The question is, are we listening? Are we willing to bend a little, to change courses and try something new? If it is of ‘the world’ it will surely destroy itself. But if it is of God, who knows what incredible things are bound to come your way. They might even be ‘heavenly!’
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