Look At Them Now: Acts 4:1-12

It’s twilight in Jerusalem. Peter and John are being held in custody by the Jewish officials. They’ve been detained ever since they were “caught” healing and teaching in the name of Jesus the previous evening in the Temple. Yet, Peter and John are not overwhelmed, upset, or worried—they are prepared for what comes next.

As soon as morning dawns, they are led out of their place of confinement and brought before the ominous Sanhedrin Council—the governing authority that once condemned Jesus and conspired to have Him killed. This is the same authority that could now condemn Peter and John, threatening their very lives. The Sanhedrin was not to be trifled with; they were powerful and meant business. They were respected—and feared. By most accounts, the Sanhedrin consisted of 70 members, all men holding significant titles and offices.

Peter and John, now placed in the midst of these men, are being stared down by 70 infuriated leaders who are tired of hearing about Jesus. You can almost hear them thinking: “Don’t these guys know we already condemned their leader?!”

But Peter and John remain unmoved—still not overwhelmed, upset, or worried. They are ready to face this grave situation, one that could cost them their lives. Jesus had warned them they would be handed over to rulers for His name’s sake. And He had also sent them out, equipped with the Holy Spirit, to help and guide them through every danger.

And yet, even as Peter and John stand ready before the very council that condemned Jesus, I wonder if they also perceive the remarkable irony of where they find themselves…

At one time, John was zealous for the very kind of authority and power held by the Sanhedrin. He was enamored with it—perhaps even envious of those who possessed it.

Recall the time when John, along with his brother James, approached Jesus with this bold request: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” They were asking for exalted positions of great power and authority—positions that would inspire respect, admiration, and fear. The kind of power not so different from that of the Sanhedrin.

Also, remember when Jesus and His disciples were passing through Samaria. Faced with resistance and unbelief, James and John asked, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” John wanted to send the fire. He pleaded with Jesus for the power to condemn and punish—again, a power not so different from that of the Sanhedrin.

At one time, John was enamored by, and zealous for, that kind of authority and power—even the power to condemn and destroy.

But look at him now.

The man who once craved the kind of power that condemns and punishes is now willingly being condemned and punished by powerful, authoritative men—for the sake of Jesus.

And what about Peter?

At one time, Peter was terrified—utterly afraid—of the Sanhedrin.

Just a month or so earlier, Jesus had been delivered to this very council. Do you remember what Peter did then? He followed from a distance, and while Jesus was being condemned inside, Peter was outside in the courtyard, denying Him.

Peter was afraid—maybe even petrified. He knew the Sanhedrin’s reputation. He knew their power. He feared that even hinting at his connection to Jesus might expose him and cost him his life. So he denied Jesus—again and again. All the love he had for Jesus, all the loyalty and devotion he had expressed for three years—erased in minutes by fear.

And when he realized what he had done, Peter ran away, weeping bitterly in shame.

But look at him now.

Now he is standing in the midst of the very men he once feared so much that he denied even knowing Jesus. Now he is boldly proclaiming that it is through Jesus’ name that a man has been healed—and that this same Jesus is the salvation of the world. He is not backing down. He is not running away.

John—who once longed for power to condemn—is now willing to be condemned.

Peter—who once feared for his life—is now fearlessly proclaiming the name of Jesus before those he once dreaded.

This is an incredible testament to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit could have chosen any of the apostles to face the Sanhedrin and proclaim the name of Jesus. All of them were prepared. Jesus had warned them all that they would be delivered over to rulers and authorities for His name. He had sent them out and promised them the Holy Spirit to guide them. All of them were ready to proclaim Jesus—whether in green pastures or in valleys of danger and death. All of them were prepared to face the grave power of the Sanhedrin.