TEXT
Acts 4:1-13
KEY VERSE
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13, KJV
REFLECTION
A whole lot has happened in the previous chapter: a man lame from birth was miraculously healed. Now the disciples have been arrested and are being questioned about the authority by which they have done these things. Peter, being filled with the Holy Ghost, answered them, but something struck them even more than the miracle. It was how these apostles spoke, the boldness. They marvelled, but, strikingly, could only trace it to this fact: these men had been with Jesus.
For three and a half years, these men moved around with Jesus and learned from Him at His feet. Jesus has left, but as they go about, people still notice that these men, one way or the other, have been with Jesus.
As believers, we stay with Jesus through His Word and prayer. Jesus said, “Ye search the scriptures,” not knowing that they speak of Him. The Word was God.
So often, we have special intercourse with Christ through private devotions or congregational gatherings. But there is something that happens unconsciously, but only to the sincere believer. Without knowing it, they begin to get transformed in thought, in words, and even in deeds.
As a believer, your primary duty is to stay and ensure that you stay long enough with Jesus daily, with an open heart, not pretentiously, but sincerely and humbly. Not as one perfect, but just as you are. Not too long, the changes would begin to take place.
Moses did not even know that something glorious had happened to him, such that it caused his face to glow. He came down from the mount, maybe thinking that he was as he had been. But it was never so. No one who sincerely stays with Jesus through the Word of God and through prayer consistently can remain the same.
The resemblance to Christ, in habit and character, will be manifested to the world. You may be unconscious of it at the moment, but the ungodly will be forced to confess it when they see how you reward them good for their evil, how you are not afraid of what they fear, and how you love them with the love of Christ.
Our sincere cry should be, “Lord, let it show that I have been with You. Do Your work in me, Lord. Deliver me from anything that resists Your change, that resists Your work in me. Let Your face shine on me.”
Our duty is to continually stay with Him. The evidence will follow shortly.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, let it be evident that I have been with You. Work in me through Your Word and by Your Spirit. Remove whatever resists Your work in me, and make me more like You in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Let Your presence leave its mark upon my life. Amen.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Read Acts 4:1-13. Pay particular attention to verse 13. What did the rulers and elders notice about Peter and John that could not be explained merely by their education or position?
Then look honestly at your own life. If someone watched the way you speak, respond under pressure, treat difficult people, handle fear, and make decisions, what evidence would they see that you have been with Jesus?
Spend some unhurried time today or tomorrow with Christ in His Word and prayer. Don’t come pretending to be more spiritual than you are. Come sincerely and humbly. Ask Him not merely to help you know more about Him, but to do His work in you.
Lord, let it show that I have been with You.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Stay with Jesus sincerely and consistently. The evidence of His work in you will follow.
Start your morning with God.
Daily Breakthrough Bread delivered to your inbox every day. Free.
Missed a day?
Browse the full Daily Breakthrough Bread archive and catch up at your own pace.
