This week – and for the third time since we started back after the break – Bible-study with the guys inspired me. And being inspired tends to lead to sharing.

Our focus was on the idea that the disciples Peter and John did nothing more than live out of the abundance, goodness, grace, joy and generosity of their faith. When they helped someone in need, people gathered around in amazement, and so they told the crowd they were doing it because of Jesus.

All the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you?” – Acts 3:11-12

Then, when they were called to account for their actions, they helped the authorities connect the dots: from God’s Covenant with Abraham… through the words of the prophets… all the way to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus… the lame man being healed… and finally to the way people responded.

In other words, “Witnessing” was simply living abundantly and – when questioned – explaining.

“Witnessing” is simply living abundantly and – when questioned – explaining.

So I asked the guys for examples of times in their lives when they could not help but tell anyone and everyone about something wonderful that had happened.

Enthusiasm as a threat:

Then we talked about how Christ’s message threatened the status quo. Jesus offered people a “new and living way” of abundant life that circumvented the authority of the religious leaders.

It turns out that the people in charge resented such good news! The same people who had dedicated their lives to helping people “get right with God,” pushed back against the very thing they had been working for. Why? Because clinging to their personal power meant more to them than good news for the people.

Let’s unpack that. Humankind needs to experience and then live into reconciliation with our Creator. Teachers of the Jewish Law were expert at helping people to live in a right relationship to God, but their religion had become more about the rules – as articulated by them – than reconciliation with Jahweh.

So along comes Jesus:

• Jesus: “We’re on the same page. I can help with this reconciliation thing.”
• Religious leaders: “How dare you challenge our authority. We would rather see people controlled by our rules than at peace with God.”

So they kill him.

Peter and John and the other disciples don’t come with a new set of chains, they bring grace and healing and mercy and love and peace. They are so thankful and happy to be free they can’t help but tell everyone about Jesus.

“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!” they say. “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

I pray – I hope – for clarity of understanding, that such an experience of God’s goodness and grace rests so beautifully on your soul that you cannot help but tell.

It’s not about notching “souls saved”! What I am talking about is a heartfelt invitation into wholeness, and goodness, and light, and grace, and mercy, and the kind of love that leads us directly into the arms of God.

This is something we cannot help but speak about. I know I can’t – DEREK