A Tiger By the Tail

Scripture – Acts 5:21-26: ²¹When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. ²²But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, ²³“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” ²⁴On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. ²⁵Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” ²⁶At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

Reflection: – What went through the minds of the Jewish leaders? There’s a comical sense to this story. They had arrested the apostles and put them in jail. The next morning they came together and sent for the apostles, only to discover they were back out in public teaching the people.

Sometimes I forget: God can do whatever He wants. When I feel trapped, He can set me free. When He has a job for me to do, He’ll make sure I can do it. The apostles were called to preach, teach and be witnesses to what Christ had done. And so, wherever they found themselves, that’s what they did.

The leaders went and brought them back. But I don’t think they had any idea how big a tiger they had by the tail. The Kingdom of God will come. The church will continue until Christ returns. He will not be denied.

How has the Lord equipped you for a job? When have you experienced His power working through you?