Against a stern warning from the ruling council in Jerusalem, called the Sanhedrin, Peter and the other apostles proclaimed Jesus as LORD. This Sanhedrin is basically the same group that presented Jesus to the Romans to have the Savior crucified! However, Peter and the other apostles knew that Jesus had triumphed over the attempts of his enemies to extinguish him and his ministry. They chose to blatantly disobey the orders of the very same people who had Jesus crucified. By any standard, that is faithful courage. Their reason for this boldness? They had been sent by God, through Jesus, to proclaim the truth throughout the world, beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). Their actions challenge us to ask ourselves a question: How are we doing in standing up for Jesus in a culture dogmatically set against his will?

LORD God Almighty; please empower me through the work of your Spirit to be courageous in proclaiming the glorious truth about Jesus. I do not want to back down from my convictions or renounce my faith in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.