Thoughts for the Day

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’

They were convinced by him, and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The Apostles are brought back once again before the Sanhedrin Council to answer to the charges of spreading the Gospel and effectively disturbing the peace because of the thousands of new believers they have attracted. Peter and the other Apostles stand firm, declaring "We must obey God rather than any human authority". It looks as though things will not go well for them, when unexpectedly a man called Gamaliel offers a reasonable argument as to why they should be left alone.

Gamaliel is to be a significant figure in the New Testament. He was a Pharisee and a teacher of the Law, as well as a member of the Sanhedrin and was greatly respected. He is also noted for his influence on Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul) who trained under Gamaliel (Acts 22.3). Although Paul was to move away from his roots, we can see his steady influence on early Christianity at this stage, for Gamaliel advises caution to the Council when its members seem likely to want the Apostles' blood. He reminds them of previous movements that have failed and suggests that if the Apostles' work is of human origin, it will fail on its own. However, if it is from God, they will not be able to stop it and may find themselves fighting against God. As a result the Apostles are flogged and sent home rather than executed.

Gamaliel's willingness to consider the possibility that the Christian movement could be from God demonstrates a mind open to possibilities and therefore open to the power of God. It can teach us to be open to possibilities that God is at work in ways we don't always see, especially if we have a judgemental attitude about things and decide issues without reference to God.

Father-God,
when we are being judgemental about issues,
and feel we are right and others are wrong,
may we defer to Your guidance.
Gamaliel's voice of reason
was to hold sway when others sought
the Apostles' deaths.
Help us to remember that Your plans
are not our plans,
and not be surprised when change occurs.
Amen.