1 Peter 2:5-6

As you come to him, the living Stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5-6

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Significance

The joke goes - What is big and gray and doesn't matter?  An Irrephant.

Throughout history, popular trouble makers have been offered the same deal. You quit making such a fuss and we will leave you alone.  We both can have everything really easy, all that's necessary is that you need to go off an be irrelevant.


It was offered to Dr. King, to Nelson Mandela, to Ghandi.  It was even offered to George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life".   Old Mr. Potter offers George a great job.  All George has to do is give up the building and loan and the help and impact he is having in his town.  All he needs to be is irrelevant and everything will be easy.


In the book of acts, the Disciples are offered the deal.  They don't need to be in trouble, they just need to stop making such a fuss.

The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!  The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 5:27-42

So the apostles didn't take the deal either.  Significance requires risk.



I suppose that throughout history there have been many who have taken the deal, avoided the risks and went away quietly.  They avoided the risks and lived safe.  I can't tell you who any of them are, because what they did, didn't matter.

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