Acts 5:12-42

The apostles are continuing to preach and to heal, which continues to irritate the High priest and his associates.  My Bible states they were jealous.  Just yesterday we spoke about outward verses inward.  The Sadducees ands Sanhedrin were all about the outward - money & power.  Instead of welcoming in the Messiah and His Kingdom, they perceived Him as a threat and killed Him. 

So they do the same to the apostles.  All 12 are thrown into jail.  But the Lord didn't keep them there for long.  He opened the doors & told them to preach in the temple courts.  So they did.  Once again, it wasn't about them - it was about God.  They knew that following God was the highest calling. 

Look, there's the here & now - just a short blink of time in which we have these earthly bodies.  Then there's eternity.  Have you ever thought about eternity?  A time that NEVER ends.  Which is more important?  70-90 or so years here or eternity?  Where should you be focused on?  The apostles were focused on eternity.  They knew that what happened here on earth would only encompass a short amount of their time & then it's gone.  All that power, money, adoration - it's fleeting.  You can't take it with you.  What you can take with you is your relationship with God - that's it.  So, be like the apostles and cultivate that relationship. 

One Sadducee, Gamaliel, saw the wisdom in this.  He knows that men have attempted to rise up for the wrong reasons.  They have popularity for a time, but their legacy soon burns out and dies.  However, if a movement is from God - it will not fail.  Once again, earthly vs. eternity. 

So, the Jewish council had the apostles flogged.  The apostles left rejoicing and continued to preach.  Did you get that?  They were flogged, yet they rejoiced.  Why would they rejoice?  Because they are all about eternity.  They know that God has a plan and a purpose and they trust it.  They will continue to preach His name everywhere they go.  Would you have the same faith?  Could you be jailed and flogged and still rejoice in the Lord?  Is your relationship with Him strong enough?  Do you trust Him?  You can.  Start talking to Him today.  Even better, start listening to His words.  With God you will find joy.