Wed. July 30th :: Acts 4 :: A cure for cowards

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach
at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Which is right in God's
eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help
speaking about what we have seen and heard."

(Luke 4.18-20)

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One of the more interesting changes from Luke to Acts is the way the disciples seem to go from spineless cowards to brave proclaimers of the gospel. Just a few chapters earlier Jesus’ followers are running from cover, sending women out to do their bidding, and denying they’ve ever heard of Jesus. But something changed. I’m wondering what it was.

Perhaps it had something to do with the resurrection and God’s Holy Spirit. After all, when you’ve seen someone come back from the dead, there isn’t much else to be afraid of.

I’m thinking about this in the context of my own fears today. Despite the fact that I’m a pastor I hate the feeling that comes over me just before I invite someone to church or bring up spirituality. It’s not that I’m ashamed of the subjects. I just hate feeling like a tele-marketer for Jesus. I hate feeling like one of those annoying types that is always looking for an ANGLE to make THE PITCH. It seems wrong to treat people like projects, or like notches on your gospel gun-belt (how’s that for a folksy image?).

Yet there’s a problem with this fear. It keeps me from doing what God has commanded. And it masks the fact that perhaps the resurrection isn’t as real to me as it should be.

The resurrection ought to embolden us as it did Christ’s first followers. It ought to turn us from cowards into missionaries.

So here’s my prayer today:
Lord may you grant us the courage to speak about you the way the first disciples did—not as a product we’re ‘selling’ but as a friend and Savior who brings good news.

Amen.