Hanging Out with Jesus

 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. (Acts 4:13-14 ESV).

 

Last year Mary and I took a little trip to the Smoky Mountains. Of course that meant at least one trip to Cades Cove. Since we were still in the midst of the pandemic we were very careful not to engage in any activities that would place us around crowds of people indoors. So, the auto loop through the cove was a perfect match. I really don’t know how many times we’ve been there… many. However, I never tire of seeing the mountains, wildlife, and flowers. On this trip I wanted to spend a bit more time touring the churches of the cove again. The Primitive Baptist Church (pictured) is one of my favorites. I can imagine the services being crowded with adults while the children played on the floor nearby. The preacher would be standing in the pulpit, which is still there, fervently explaining the grace and mercy of God. They were hanging out with Jesus.

 

This is somewhat the picture we are given in the context of our reading today. Peter and John have been preaching. They are arrested. After a night in jail, they are brought before the religious rulers and teachers of the law. The apostles’ teaching to the crowds has led to more people coming to faith in Jesus. These religious leaders thought they were done with Jesus when they managed to get him crucified. Now they want to do what they can to silence Peter and John, so they threaten them. But they also know that a great healing has taken place. Everyone who goes to the temple knows the man who was lame and now he is healed.

 

The religious leaders do not believe the healing of the lame man is linked to Jesus, but they do link the courage of Peter and John to Jesus. The rulers see Peter and John as ordinary, unschooled people. They are fishermen. Peter and John are used to the Sea of Galilee, not the Sanhedrin council of rulers. Note that when they tried to intimidate them Luke recalls they noticed that Peter and John “had been with Jesus” (v. 13). I suppose you could say they had been “hanging out with Jesus.” The apostles now knew that everything Jesus had said and promised was true. And they trusted that Jesus, by his Spirit, was still with them. So in everything they were doing it was clear that Peter, John, and the community of believers in Christ were people who were “with Jesus.” We can do the same. It can be done anywhere at any time. Jesus is always available for us to hang out. Spend some time with Him today. It will do the same for you as it did Peter and John!