God Paves the Way!

Have you ever thought that no matter what you do, something goes wrong or somebody criticizes you? Perhaps that is what the apostles felt like in the early Church.

The Sanhedrin (Israel’s ruling body) had a good relationship with the Roman Empire. The Romans let them rule provided the Israelites paid their taxes and kept the peace. Jesus was a threat to the Sanhedrin. Some believed he was going to set up an earthly kingdom, and that meant rebellion against the Romans. Jesus also threatened the Sanhedrin’s spiritual authority.

Once the Sanhedrin persuaded Pontius Pilate to crucify Jesus, they were once again secure with no rebellion in sight. However, Jesus had henchmen, that is, apostles, who were carrying out his work. Perhaps they were not a threat to rebel against the empire, but they did continue to undermine the Sanhedrin’s spiritual authority. The apostles must be stopped!

Today’s story (Acts 5:33-39) tells us that Gamaliel convinced the Sanhedrin that maybe the apostles were doing God’s work. Fighting God is futile and men’s efforts eventually fail. Rather than have them killed, the Sanhedrin let the apostles go, but not without a flogging.

Gamaliel used words of human logic, not words of faith.  God gave Gamaliel the words to win this argument. God saw to it that the apostles would prevail. They could continue to boldly proclaim the Good News about Jesus Christ.

God paved the way for the apostles.

God paves the way for us too, even when life seems difficult. Even when we are criticized for our efforts. Even when everything we do seems to go wrong.

He may give us the knowledge we need to solve our problems. He may give us the courage to carry out our task. He may even allow an unbeliever to assist us. He gives us strength to be bold in what we do for him.

But most of all, he sent Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Our eternal life in heaven is assured.

God paved the way!