“When they heard this, they…intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.”Acts 5:33-34

There were strong emotions, with no room for compromise. The Jewish leaders had taken a decisive stand against Jesus and His followers. They opposed anyone who might threaten the peace with Rome or challenge the “official” theology of the day. Committed to maintaining control, they seemed to have silenced Jesus and His message, until the Day of Pentecost when there was an unexpected increase in His followers. The leaders arrested Peter and John, ordering them not to teach about Jesus. But Peter responded, “We must obey God rather than men.” Some leaders wanted to kill these disciples. But then Gamaliel stood up to speak. Paul’s mentor (Acts 22:3), this man was said to have been a rabban, the highest-ranked rabbi. He urged them to remember God’s sovereignty and consider the possibility that those who believed in God might actually end up fighting against Him. If Jesus’ message was from God, they would not be able to “overthrow it.” During these early days of the Church, others faced similar moments of decision. Some were closed to receiving new direction from God. But others remained teachable, ready to listen. These included men like Paul, to whom Jesus personally appeared (Acts 9), and like Peter, who was willing to bring the Gospel to Gentiles (Acts 10). These examples remind us how easy it can be for us to stubbornly cling to our own perspectives, closed to the things of God. It’s vitally important that we never stop seeking God, remembering that all of us “see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Brothers & Sisters in your life, remember that there is much more for you to learn. Stay humble and pliable before God. Ask Him to help you be teachable, ready to listen and change.