The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Sometimes we find that progress takes a backwards road to what we would think. I am currently reading the unabridged version of Les Miserable, by Victor Hugo. What a classic! The character development and story plot are exceptional!
At the beginning of this book we are introduced to a man who has just been released from prison after serving 19 years — 5 years for stealing a loaf of bread while starving to feed his sister’s kids, and 14 years because he tried to escape a few times. (It turns out he had been an orphan and lived with his sister. After his sister’s husband died, he was responsible for feeding her and her seven children). This man knew hardship. He knew unjust punishment for his crime. He knew the predominant way of the world was evil and involved taking for oneself.
As he was looking for lodging and food upon release from prison, he was turned away at every door, save the home of a priest. The priest was different from the rest. He did not treat him as a criminal, but rather as a brother in need of help. Even though this convict stole from the priest, he merely forgave him, let him take what he stole, and told him to use it for good. In the epic story, Jon val Jon did just that.
It makes me wonder … if at times in life there are two types of engines running: one for our worldly progress and one for our eternal progress? What if, by letting the engine of our worldly progress retreat or go backwards we fuel or provide energy for eternal progress to advance? This advance would apply to both ourselves in becoming the likeness of Christ and to others who are attracted to the light we let off by denying our worldly progress in favor of honoring God.
Peter and John experienced, in my opinion, this very thing. Starting out as fishermen, they had respectable jobs in the world. As they became better businessmen, they would earn more money and advance in this world. But Jesus interrupted this progression. He got them focused on spiritual significance and the fishing for men’s souls.
And now, after doing something extraordinary in healing a lame man, by proclaiming Jesus’ power to heal, they were thrown in jail. So their worldly progress suffered, as they were likely beaten and mistreated. But their spiritual progress moved forward as now 2,000 souls were added to the heavenly ranks of the saved since Pentecost (initialing 3,000 believed) because they acted in obedience.
The engines of life … the worldly engine and the eternal engine. What if the defeat and persecution and torture of this life fuel the Kingdom of God as we bear up underneath them in the name of Jesus? I would say they do.
Lord, thank you for making clear to me your wisdom which transcends this world and its progressions. Help me to see the working of your eternal engines in the challenges of the day! All to your glory, God!
