As we read this, it is a reminder of how we are to take care of those less fortunate than ourselves. I believe there are a few key points in this passage that help us unlock the springs of generosity in our lives: the believers were united in heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own.

I am reminded of the words of Paul when he rhetorically asked this question in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that God hasn’t given you?”

How are we stewarding what we have been given? Are we padding our own coffers with the blessings of God, or are we sharing them with others?

Remember the challenge Jesus gave to the rich man who wanted to know what good deed he must do to have eternal life. In Matthew 19:21, Jesus states:

“Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.””

This was a tall order that the man was unwilling to follow at the time, and the Scriptures say that he went away sad, for he had many possessions. But Jesus was showing him that we are blessed to be a blessing.
Again, how are we stewarding the blessings of God in our lives? Are we enriching ourselves, or are we also looking to help others?

The goal in life is not to get rich for riches’ sake, but rather to give it away to benefit others. I believe our next life will reflect how generous we were in this life. Do we want treasure here or there? Giving away treasure here stores up treasure in our heavenly account. In the words of Jesus:

““Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”
‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When we understand that everything we have is not our own, we are able to view riches correctly as the resource they are, making it easier to part with them to share with others in need.

Remember the example Jesus set for us: “…though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, so that by His poverty He could make us rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

This is part of what it means to be called by His name.

We may not be actively opposed in the States as the Apostles were, but make no mistake—opposition exists. Thankfully, the political winds have been in our favor under President Donald Trump. In fact, last night was a first for me, as a sitting president on national television took to reading 2 Chronicles 7:11–22 from the Oval Office (not that the media would cover it).

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

I am grateful for this president, who is attempting to bring God back into the conversation. Dark forces have been at work behind the scenes, and had it not been for him, I believe the church would be facing greater persecution than it is now.

With that in mind, there is work to be done while the waters are calm. If we have trouble sharing our faith while the waters are calm, what are we going to do when things get stormy? Maybe we need to pray as the Apostles did, asking God to give us great boldness in sharing His Word. May we implore God to stretch out His hand with healing power, that many signs and wonders may be done in the name of His holy Servant, Jesus.

God, as shown here, is willing to answer such prayers. All we need to do is pray them.

The members of the council were more worried about their reputation and power than they were about the fact that a man who had been lame for over 40 years had been healed—a true miracle that they should have been celebrating. Instead, they were trying to figure out how to prevent it from happening further.
What is wrong with some people? How can they be so blind to the truth, or worse yet, willfully reject it when it is right in front of them? Once people have power, they can feel threatened by anything or anyone who may outshine them. They were upset because this miracle didn’t happen through them. Had any miracles happened through them?

Yet here you have Peter and John—not one of their own, but simple men—through whom a bona fide miracle has taken place. This is what the religious leaders of the day should have been doing for the people, but they had no connection or relationship with Jesus, the Source of the miracles.

What a pickle they were in.

So they threatened Peter and John, commanding them not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore. Yet Peter didn’t back down and emphatically told them: “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?” That had to go over well. The council members believed they spoke for God, yet Jesus bypassed them and performed this miracle through common men (in their eyes).

At what point do we honestly ask ourselves if we are missing something? Is our pride that important that we would risk everything just to die on our hill?

Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the whole earth (Jesus—Matthew 5:5).

Words to consider…

They asked the question, but I don’t think they were ready for the answer. This had to be Annas and Caiaphas’ worst nightmare come true. No matter what they did, they could not get rid of Jesus, for His Spirit was now working through His apostles, performing signs and wonders they could not refute. As if what they did to Jesus (God) was not enough, they now dared to oppose God again?

I love how Peter highlights the absurdity of their incarceration: “Are we being questioned because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man?”

It appears so!

And now Peter is going to remind them of what they don’t want to hear: this man was healed by the powerful name of Jesus—the man they crucified, whom God raised from the dead.

Then Peter doubles down and states:

“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬

I can picture them putting their hands over their ears to avoid hearing the truth again. The high priest and his associates were in such a precarious position—more precarious than they knew—for they were not willing to consider, and were in fact openly rejecting, the One whom God had sent. And in case they were not sure, Peter finishes this passage:

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12

There it was—the statement that would ring out for eternity in their ears: “There is salvation in no one else!”

To reject Jesus was to reject God.

What a change we have seen in Peter—what boldness they could not deny—so unlike the night before Jesus’ crucifixion.

What changed in Peter? That would be the Holy Spirit, Who was giving him power to be His witness, just as Jesus said.

Interesting that Peter is running into the same issue with the religious leaders that Jesus did. A man who was lame from birth was healed, and the religious leaders were aware of it, but they didn’t like what Peter had to say about it. It is bothersome to think that people can be put in jail for merely telling the truth, yet we see it even today. We forget who runs this world’s system, and he does not take kindly to competition. The truth is a threat to those who are proponents of deception.

What had the Sadducees so upset was the fact that their sect of Judaism did not believe in a resurrection, and Peter was teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. Five hundred people were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. And let’s not forget this powerful Scripture found in Matthew 27:50–53 NLT:

“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.”
‭‭
I am sure that created quite a stir, and the religious leaders no doubt had heard the reports. They wanted these stories to disappear and Jesus to be done with, but as we can see here, Jesus was just getting started through His followers—and that was a threat to everything the Sadducees stood for.

Why is it so hard for some to believe, even when the truth is staring them in the face? Our beliefs can either open our eyes or close them. Why is it that Jesus would often say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”? It is possible to hear and not truly hear at the same time. In the same way, it is possible to see without truly seeing.

Consider Proverbs 20:12:

“Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord.”
‭‭
Maybe God doesn’t open our eyes until we are willing to see—it is definitely a heart issue.

Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see. ?

Peter continues to seize the opportunity to speak to his audience, who have just witnessed a miraculous healing. After confronting them about their role in Jesus’ death, he takes a more conciliatory tone and lets them know that all of this happened according to God’s plan, as foretold by the prophets.

Now, all they needed to do was repent and turn to God so that their sins could be wiped away. Simple enough—but for some, their hardened hearts would not allow it.

Peter then says that times of refreshment would come from the presence of the Lord. Who couldn’t use some of that?

But then, notice what Peter says next: “…and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah…”
The Messiah was the One they had been waiting for, yet those to whom He was sent—and those who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Scriptures—missed Him completely. Peter is stating, without question, that Jesus was indeed the One they had been looking for. And now, He must remain in heaven until the time of the final restoration of all things.

He will come again, yet here we are, still waiting for His return some 2,000 years later. But for context, Moses prophesied about Jesus coming some 1,200–1,500 years before His first arrival. Time is not a factor for God—only for us. His plan will unfold according to His timeline, and we must remain faithful in our belief throughout our lifetime. If He tarries, we must still die in faith.

Moses was clear that anyone who would not listen to “that” Prophet—referring to Jesus—would be completely cut off from God’s people. The crowd had the opportunity to respond rightly, just as we do today. Whether or not we live in the generation that sees His return, we must live with the expectation that we will.

Are we living in expectation of Christ’s return or have we grown comfortable in the delay? ?

What just happened that Peter saw his opportunity? If you remember from yesterday, he gave the beggar at the Temple what he truly needed instead of silver and gold—he healed the man in the name of Jesus. Everyone was amazed, and Peter had a captive audience, so to speak.

When God does something great in our lives, we must not waste that moment, but instead use it as an opportunity to give Him glory.

Peter goes a step further, especially since Jesus’ crucifixion was still fresh in everyone’s minds. He uses this opportunity to remind the people that they had rejected Jesus—the One whom God raised from the dead. They were witnesses of this, and by faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—a bona fide miracle they could not explain away. This man had been crippled from birth and was carried on a mat to the Temple gate every day. They all knew him, for they passed by him daily. To now see him walking, leaping, and praising God as he entered the Temple certainly captured their attention.

We all make mistakes, and Peter acknowledges their ignorance in this matter. From there, he preaches a message that results in the salvation of 5,000 people, as we will see at the end of this chapter.

The name of Jesus is the key to everything we need. The benefits of the Kingdom are available when we ask in Jesus’ name. He made it all possible for us. Peter is now proclaiming this message, and the people are responding as God moves through His apostles, showing that the work of Jesus is continuing.

How about us? How are we responding to the message? Are we willing to allow God to work through us to meet the needs of those around us? Why do you think we are here? As Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In what ways are we giving back to help those around us?

Just a few questions to stir us to re-evaluate, if needed.

The book of Acts is appropriately named, for we see the mission of Jesus continuing through the apostles. The Holy Spirit, as promised, is working through them, performing signs and wonders, and this miracle is about to stir up the religious community. For the moment, we will rejoice in this incredible miracle.

What stands out to me in this passage is this statement:

“I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I will give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Would gold have been helpful? Yes, but it would not have fixed his condition. What Peter offered was far better than gold. This man was begging to compensate for his inability to walk, yet the Lord, through Peter, removed his need to beg by healing him.

Sometimes we set our expectations too low. What areas in our lives might we be settling for “silver and gold” instead of believing God for something deeper and transformational? This man received more than he bargained for; yet it was about to set off a firestorm among the religious leaders. As the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.”

One other thing I would like to point out: notice that Peter said he would give the man what he had. What did he have? Miracle-working power through the Holy Spirit—something every believer in Christ has, whether they realize it or not. We just have to learn to release it by faith.

As we go through the book of Acts, may we come to realize and activate the power that resides within us—the Holy Spirit—by faith. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:11:

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

How awesome is that?

This is what community looks like—the way God intended it. How few of us truly experience this. How do we grow a church? The answer is right here. We are to devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the sharing of meals, to communion, and to prayer.

The early believers did this daily. We have trouble doing this even once a week! The generosity and goodwill of the people drew many into the Kingdom, and the Lord added to their fellowship daily.

I like the use of the word fellowship because this isn’t just about attending a church service, per se, but rather about becoming involved in a community of believers with a common vision and purpose—to know Him and to make Him known.

It really is all about relationship. God wants a relationship with us—not just attendance birthed out of duty or guilt. When you have experienced the presence of God, there truly is no other place you would rather be than with Him. He is that good! As we draw closer to Him, we begin to care for those He cares about, loving those around us.

Unfortunately, so many things vie for our time and attention. In our entertainment-driven society, I fear many are replacing sweet fellowship with entertainment-driven gatherings. There is a simplicity in worship that we are missing. If we want to see God move, we must make room for Him in our gatherings, with the focus solely on Him and the things He cares about. I personally don’t think He is impressed with our “shows.”

As Jesus addressed the Pharisees of His day, they were all about show and performance at the expense of true community and care. Instead of being inviting, they were exclusive and cliquish, missing the whole point of what they had been entrusted with.

The Gospel is for all! When we begin loving our communities enough to truly care for them, that is when we will experience what the early church did—along with signs and wonders—enjoying the goodwill of both God and people.

Food for thought…

Powerful words coming from Peter—the one who denied Jesus three times. The Lord restored Peter after He was raised from the dead, yet here we see him, bold as a lion, proclaiming the truth. What happened? The Holy Spirit happened!

Jesus told them that after He left, the Holy Spirit would be sent, and they would receive power from on high to be His witnesses, telling people about Him everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This was the beginning of that promise being fulfilled as the Spirit of God was poured out at Pentecost, and Peter stepped up and delivered. As we continue reading, we see that 3,000 people were saved that day.

There are some who question the active role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers today, as if this was only a special endowment for that time. But consider Peter’s words again:

“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

No one is left out of this promise if they repent and believe.

As we will see in the coming days, the Holy Spirit actively worked through the lives of the believers, with signs and wonders confirming their message and bringing great glory to God.

The apostles’ ministry began with the outpouring of the Spirit of God when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit—much like Jesus’ ministry began after He was baptized in the Jordan River and the Spirit of God descended upon Him.

The Holy Spirit is absolutely indispensable to a believer’s life. He is the One who transforms us into the image of Christ. How can we expect to do that without Him?

Get to know the Holy Spirit. Be continually filled with His presence, and learn to recognize when He is speaking to you or leading you. Scripture warns us not to resist the Holy Spirit. Spirit-filled believers are the ones who change the world—as we see here in this passage with Peter.

As we spoke yesterday, an amazing thing has taken place. The Holy Spirit has arrived on the scene in a spectacular “suddenly” moment, and between the loud sound the city heard and these 120 or so people now speaking in tongues, the city was trying to make heads or tails of it all.

As doubters and critics often do, they tried to dismiss this great happening by saying the Apostles were drunk. Peter steps up and confronts the crowd, correctly explaining that what was happening had been spoken of by the prophet Joel years before:

“In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. I will pour out My Spirit even on My servants—men and women alike—and they shall prophesy.’”

What a time for these people to be alive! They were standing at the cusp and dawn of the New Covenant, ushering in a new way of living in the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit was now living within believers, transforming them from the inside out—something Old Testament believers had never experienced.

The book of Acts chronicles this transformation in the lives of the Apostles and the budding Church. It also introduces us to one of the most dramatic conversions—Saul of Tarsus, who later becomes the Apostle Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament.

Thank God for Paul. Because of his conversion, much of the Gentile world was exposed to the Gospel. In fact, Peter was considered the Apostle to the Jews, and Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Satan thought he had won, but now he was not just dealing with Jesus, but with a whole army of believers—commissioned and empowered by and through the Holy Spirit. This was a serious miscalculation on his part. Not understanding the mystery of the crucifixion, Satan’s supposed victory became the instrument of his defeat, initiating salvation for all mankind.

Consider 1 Corinthians 2:7-8:

“No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.”

It is the Spirit of God who reveals the wonderful things God has freely given to those who believe in Christ. Satan and the rulers of darkness had no part in this revelation, for they did not have the Spirit of God.

I wonder when it finally dawned on him—maybe when the stone was rolled away ?

The Holy Spirit didn’t just discreetly fill the upper room. The Scriptures say that a loud sound from heaven came rushing into the house where the believers were meeting. So loud was this sound that it caught the attention of everyone living in the city, and they came rushing to see what had happened.

Notice, however, that it was only those who were present in the house who were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues.

It pays to be in the room.

Those who were waiting and expecting what God had promised, just as the Lord had instructed them, were the ones who received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Often, when the Lord tells you to do something, it is to position you to receive what He has for you. Such was the case here.

Now, we know that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for everyone who believes, but those who were not present at that time definitely missed out on an incredible outward manifestation of God’s glory.

Hebrews 10:25 states:

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Going to church is not optional for me. I do not want to miss out on what God is doing. It always seems that the service you miss is the one where something remarkable happens.

As I stated yesterday, we now know they waited ten days from the time Jesus told them to remain in Jerusalem until they received what the Father had promised. However, they did not know this; they simply needed to be in position when it happened. Notice that the Scripture uses the word “suddenly.” God often shows up suddenly, without warning.

We are told that when Jesus returns, it will be a “suddenly” moment as well.

Consider the following words of Jesus:

““So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭42‬-‭44‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This tells me that we are always to be alert and ready, living in a state of expectation if we hope to recognize and be a part of those suddenly moments.

Are you ready?

The Apostles were still thinking that Jesus was going to deliver them from Rome, yet Jesus told them that those events and times are set by the Father and are not for them to know. Instead, He redirected them to the task at hand. There was work to do. They were to wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who would give them the power to be His witnesses and to proclaim the Good News with signs and wonders, as we learned yesterday.

The Apostles were to pick up where Jesus left off.

With that, Jesus was taken up to heaven after appearing to the Apostles and others for 40 days following His resurrection. Scripture does not tell us whether the disciples knew how long they would have to wait for the Holy Spirit, but historically, we know it was another ten days—on Pentecost.

Life, as they had known it, was about to change drastically. They were about to walk in the fullness of all God had promised and usher in Kingdom living. What a privilege it was to be such pioneers, yet many challenges awaited them in the days ahead.

Let’s not forget the precious promise the angels gave—that just as they had seen Jesus ascend into heaven, one day He would return in the same way.

Now it is our turn to work while we wait for His return.

Luke, the beloved physician, wrote his detailed account based on extensive interviews and careful research after the resurrection of Christ. It is here that we see Jesus presenting “Himself alive” with many “convincing proofs” over a period of forty days following His suffering and resurrection, speaking to them about the Kingdom of God—which they now had access to.

Jesus had ushered in the new covenant, established on better promises.

Notice that they were instructed not to leave Jerusalem until they received what the Father had promised—the Holy Spirit. This was not a suggestion, but a command, which reveals the vital role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. He is not optional, but an absolute necessity.

Consider Jesus’ words:

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Advocate, or Helper, is the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher and our Guide. Jesus Himself relied on the Holy Spirit—so what makes us think we can go through life without Him?

We need to get to know the Advocate. The Book of Acts introduces us to what the Holy Spirit can do in the lives of believers and gives us a glimpse of what Jesus meant when He said that we would do even greater works than He did.

We don’t live this life in our own strength, but rather in the strength the Holy Spirit provides.

Don’t leave home without Him.

Known as the Great Commission, these are our marching orders from our Lord, our Savior, and our King. Life without the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ has no true purpose—or, dare I say, function—other than to aid and abet the enemy.

Consider Jesus’ words:

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Distraction is clearly a tool of the enemy, making our mission that much more difficult, as people don’t seem to have time for God—even among believers. We get so caught up in the temporal at the expense of the eternal.

We are called to show the world a glimpse of heaven. We do that by bringing the realities of the Kingdom of God with us. Yet in order to bring them, we must know that we have access and authority to enter the storehouses of heaven ourselves. Many believers are stuck here, relying on God’s goodness to occasionally “throw them a bone” in the name of humility, saying, “If it is the Lord’s will, He will…”—but He has already said it is.

Look at these words: “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe.” Notice the Lord didn’t say “might,” but “will.” That is definitive.

However, there is a qualification. It says, “those who believe.” I submit that our lack of belief is the issue. Our beliefs guide us through life and move us to step where we otherwise would not. Do we truly believe that the Lord will work through us as His representatives and that, as He said, we will do even greater works than He did? Many of us continue to wait for Jesus to act, when He has clearly commissioned us to do so.

He has sent us the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead to dwell within us. We are not lacking in anything—except belief. It is a hard truth, but we are not going to change the world sitting on the bench, waiting for something to happen.

Food for thought.

The last few days, I have been pondering a statement Jesus made in Matthew 11:27:

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

What Jesus says in Matthew 11:27 reveals a profound spiritual truth: revelation is not earned—it is given.

So, last night, I woke up in the middle of the night, troubled in my spirit. I’ve learned not to ignore those moments. Instead, I pray and ask the Lord what He is doing. As I spent time with Him, He began to open up this Scripture to me in a deeper way.

What stood out is this:

Jesus Himself determines who receives revelation of the Father.

This means that revelation is not the result of intellectual pursuit. We can study, read, and grow in knowledge through our own effort—but revelation comes only by divine invitation.

That truth connects powerfully with what I “stumbled” upon in today’s passage in Luke 24:45. I felt this passage was a good segue following Easter and moving forward. What God showed me last night was confirmed smack dab in the middle of this passage:

“Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

That’s revelation.

It wasn’t that the disciples suddenly became more intelligent—it’s that Jesus opened something that had previously been closed. In that moment, understanding moved from information to illumination.

There is a difference:
* Knowledge informs the mind
* Revelation transforms the heart

We can know Scripture and still miss its meaning. But when the Holy Spirit reveals truth, we begin to understand the whybehind the what. We see the heart, the intent, the nature of God behind His Word.
This is exactly what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 2:7–12—that the deep things of God are revealed by His Spirit, not discovered by human reasoning.

If the rulers of this world had understood, they would not have crucified Jesus. Why? Because they had knowledge—but not revelation.

Why this matters…

How often do we misunderstand people because we don’t know their intent? We assign motives, assume meanings, and later realize—we were completely wrong.

The same can happen in our relationship with God.

Without revelation:
* We can misinterpret His actions
* Question His motives
* Misunderstand His timing

But revelation pulls back the curtain. It lets us see:
* God’s heart
* God’s purpose
* God’s wisdom

And yet—this is where it becomes so encouraging. While revelation is given, Scripture also shows us how to posture ourselves to receive it.

Psalm 65:4 reminds us:
“What joy for those you choose to bring near…”

And we also know these promises:
* “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
* “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

So while revelation is not earned, hunger matters.
Pursuit matters.
Positioning ourselves before Him matters.

We are incredibly privileged. We don’t have to rely on human understanding alone—we have the Spirit of God living within us, revealing the thoughts, heart, and purposes of God.

Revelation is not just about knowing more—it’s about knowing Him.

And there is no greater place to be than near His heart, where what was once hidden becomes clear, and what once confused us begins to make divine sense.

Silent Saturday: Living Between the Promise and the Fulfillment

Saturday is a solemn day for the disciples and is often called “Silent Saturday.” It is Passover, yet the religious leaders felt it necessary—because of Jesus’ prophecy that He would rise in three days—to go to Pilate and request security for the tomb.

At their request, Pilate sealed the tomb and stationed a Roman guard there.

This is an important detail because it confirms that Jesus was officially dead and that the tomb was officially guarded, eliminating any possibility of tampering.

What I love about this is that God takes what man tries to do to prevent Him from moving and uses it for His glory.

Psalm 76:10 states it this way:

“Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon.”

The very steps they took to secure the tomb only magnified the validity of the miracle of His resurrection.

The disciples were no doubt heartbroken, and from their perspective, everything had gone wrong.

Yet spiritually, behind the scenes, Peter gives us a glimpse of what was taking place on “Silent Saturday” in 1 Peter 3:19–20:

“So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.”

Paul also refers to what Jesus was doing in Ephesians 4:8–10:

“That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.”

Saturday was not silent in the spiritual realm—it was the completion of His victory.

The disciples should have known that Sunday was coming, as Jesus had told them several times what would take place. But Saturday became a testing ground for their faith until the promise was realized on Sunday.

Saturday is where most of us live spiritually. It is the space between “It is finished” and “He is risen.”

Jerry Savelle, a prominent minister in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, once said:

“Most of the Christian life is spent between the ‘Amen’ and the ‘There it is.’”

Our lives are often lived between His promises and their fulfillment. That space becomes the proving ground of our faith.

Sunday came for the disciples—and “Sunday” is coming for us too.

So much happened in the span of just a few days. Matthew 26–27 tells of the events that unfolded on Thursday evening, leading into what is known as Good Friday. It had already been a long night for Jesus—and it was about to become an even longer day.

I included this particular passage of Jesus being questioned before Pilate because it reveals Pilate’s frustration with the people. He wanted no part in the murder of an innocent man—hence the washing of his hands and his declaration: “I am innocent of this man’s blood.”

What amazes me about this account is the crowd’s response to Pilate’s declaration and gesture:

“And all the people answered, ‘His blood shall be on us and on our children!’”

To openly say this shows just how utterly deceived the people were. God takes seriously the words of our mouths, and what is even more sobering is that they included their children in this reckless declaration.
To give some perspective on what took place that day over 2,000 years ago:

* 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.: Jesus’ trial before the Jewish leaders
* 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.: Final trial and delivery to Pilate
* 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.: Pilate questions Jesus
* 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.: Jesus is sent to Herod, then back to Pilate
* 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: The crowd chooses Barabbas; Jesus is scourged, mocked, and sentenced to crucifixion
* 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Jesus is crucified; soldiers cast lots for His clothing; people mock Him; Jesus forgives them; the criminal beside Him is saved
* 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Darkness covers the land
* 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Jesus declares, “It is finished,” and gives up His spirit; the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom; an earthquake occurs; a centurion declares Jesus to be the Son of God; His side is pierced and He is declared dead
* 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for Jesus’ body and lays Him in his tomb before sunset
*
Understand—this was the price that had to be paid for our salvation.

On this Good Friday, may we take ourselves back to what our Lord and Savior endured so that we might be free—and may we give Him thanks.

Probably not the words the disciples wanted to hear—or believe. And this wasn’t the first time Jesus told them this. In fact, Peter was rebuked by the Lord in Matthew 16 for “seeing things merely from a human point of view.”

This was the very purpose for which Jesus came. He had to die for mankind, for it was the only way we could be saved. This must have been difficult for the disciples, not understanding why it was necessary. They were expecting Jesus to deliver them from Roman rule, yet that wasn’t His purpose. He was, in fact, delivering them—and us—from Satan’s rule, with far more lasting and eternal benefits.

He didn’t have to do this, you know. It was His love for us, and His love for the Father, that compelled Him to follow through with His mission.

Our mission is to tell the world of His great sacrifice on our behalf. There is a world out there still stuck in Satan’s clutches, not knowing the truth. This Easter, let’s make it a point to tell someone. Invite someone to church. And make sure you are there as well. It is the least we can do in honoring His sacrifice.

I was especially drawn to this Scripture passage this morning because of an article I read recently about an NBA player who made a statement regarding what God says about men and women. His comments were labeled as “hate speech,” and he was subsequently dropped by his team. An NFL player came to his defense online by quoting Scripture, only to be told by his team’s owner that he needed to be more “educated” on the issue.

It doesn’t seem to me that the player is the one in need of education. He was simply quoting what God has said—and who is more authoritative than God?

It appears that, as a society, we have become increasingly confused about our identity. Could it be because we have systematically removed God’s Word—the very source of truth—from our culture? Since when did the Bible become classified as hate speech? It seems that people’s issue is not so much with us, though we often bear the brunt of it, but ultimately with God Himself—the One we choose to believe.

Truth can be offensive, but often only to those who are not walking in it. It brings to mind Paul’s words to the Galatians: “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

Marriage is what God defined it to be—not what culture redefines it as. From the beginning, God created us male and female, and He established marriage as the union between a man and a woman. These are not my words—they are His. And who are we to argue with God?

When God’s Word is removed from societal discourse, confusion and disorder inevitably follow, bringing distortion—especially to the family unit. This is not surprising, as it reflects the enemy’s strategy from the very beginning in the garden. Satan opposes everything that is godly because it reminds him of what he lost.

Do not fall for deception. Whatever is promised outside of God’s truth ultimately leads to destruction. Scripture is filled with accounts that reveal this pattern—those who followed God’s ways found life, while those who rejected Him faced consequences.

Be careful who you follow.

There is a tremendous key Jesus gives us if we can fully grasp what He is talking about here. The power residing in a believer is immense. In fact, Scripture tells us that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in us.

Let’s look at this first part in the Amplified version:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.”
—Matthew 18:18 (AMPC)

Similar to what we discussed a few days ago, answered prayer is assured when it aligns with God’s will and is subject to His timing. When Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” He was giving us a key—the same principle we see here.

Think about heaven. What is allowed there, and what is not? Are demons allowed in heaven? No. That is why Jesus—and believers—have authority over them to cast them out. Is sickness present in heaven? No. That is why healing is available to the believer. What do you see in this world that is incompatible with the culture of heaven? Those are the things we are called to confront through the authority of the Spirit of God.
Jesus then raises the standard, saying that when two believers come together in agreement in prayer about anything on earth, it will be done by our Father in heaven. There is power in agreement. This is why we are instructed to come to the elders of the church for prayer.

Consider the words of James:

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.”
—James 5:13–18 (NLT)

These truths will not benefit us unless we apply our faith to them. Faith is the master key that unlocks all these doors. The promises of God are abundant and ready to be accessed, but they will do us no good if we do not believe. There is a reason followers of Christ are called believers.

The question is: Do we truly believe?

The Kingdom of God operates very differently from the world we live in. Depending on when we come to the Lord, many of us need to be reprogrammed because we have been so deeply influenced by the world’s ways. Our minds must be renewed—in other words, restored to their original design.

To become the greatest, we must become the least. This idea seems laughable to those whose motto is, “I’m looking out for number one.” Worldly leadership is centered around the leader, whereas godly leadership is centered around those being led. The true nature of leadership is service.

Jesus did not come for Himself—He came for us. He came in the form of a servant and gave His life for us. He was not born in a palace; He was born in a humble stable. He left the wonder and magnificence of Heaven to lay down His life for humanity. As He said, “No greater love has anyone than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

This is what true leadership looks like. We must become like little children in humility, faith, and repentance if we hope to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

We must also think carefully before causing one of these little ones, who trust in Him, to stumble into sin. What kind of example are we setting for those around us? Sin often carries unintended collateral damage, and Jesus warns us not to lead others into sin. We are responsible for the example we set before others.

Food for thought…

This contains a powerful truth—if we can truly grasp it: the blessings of heaven are unlocked by our faith. Faith is the key. Jesus clearly stated that it was the disciples’ lack of faith that prevented them from being able to drive out that particular demon.

Imagine telling someone today that their lack of faith is preventing them from receiving the benefits of the Kingdom. It may not sound like the most sensitive comment, but it is the truth nonetheless.

Hebrews tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. We must come to Him in faith, believing that what He has said is true. Jesus also seems to imply that there are no limitations to the power made available to us through faith—in fact, in His words, “nothing would be impossible.”

Consider what John wrote in 1 John 5:14–15: that we can have confidence God hears us when we ask according to His will, and if He hears us, we can trust that we have what we have asked of Him.

So what is hindering us? Often, it is our own lack of faith.

So what can we do about it? Scripture says that faith comes from hearing the Good News about Christ. The more we read the Bible and understand the truth contained within it, the more we can step out in faith, acting on that truth and bringing the realities of heaven here to earth.

So for three days, Jesus had been healing and teaching people in the wilderness—what we might call a spiritual retreat. What causes people to drop everything and stay with someone for three days in the wilderness? They were hearing the Words of life and witnessing demonstrations that the Kingdom of God was indeed in their midst, and they didn’t want to leave. God has that effect on people.

When you experience the Kingdom of God for the first time, something in your spirit longs for more. You may not fully understand it, but you keep coming back for more. Even today, some people carry that kind of anointing, and when you are around them, you don’t want to leave.

Such was the case here. The crowd had been with Jesus for three days. Once again, Jesus tests the disciples by saying He wants to feed the crowd before sending them away. The disciples still seemed limited in their perspective due to a lack of natural provisions. Yet this hadn’t stopped Jesus before when He fed the 5,000. I wonder why they didn’t simply ask Jesus to multiply the food again? They had seen Him do it before, and yet they didn’t seem to consider that He could do it again.

The scope of this miracle was massive once more, as the 4,000 only included the men—there were women and children present as well.

I love how it says they all ate as much as they wanted. They were fully satisfied. Jesus always gives us more than we need. He is a God of abundance, and when He feeds us, we are fully satisfied—both physically and spiritually.

As we continue to read about Jesus’ miraculous provision, faith begins to rise within us. What can’t God do?

Whatever we are facing is no match for a submitted, believing heart before the King of kings.