OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Acts 5 (Focus vs. 17–21, 25–29, 41–42)
MEMORY VERSE
“Day after day, . . . [the apostles] never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 5:42
BACKGROUND
In an interview, a musician who’s a believer in Christ recalls a time he was urged to “stop talking about Jesus” so much.
Why? It was suggested that his band could be more famous and raise more money to feed the poor if he stopped saying his work was all about Jesus.
After thinking it through, he decided, “The entire point of my music is to share my faith in Christ…No way [am I] going to be silent.” He said his “burning calling [is] to share the message of Jesus.”
Under much more threatening circumstances, the apostles received a similar message. They’d been jailed and miraculously delivered by an angel, who told them to continue telling others about their new life in Christ (Acts 5:19–20).
When the religious leaders learned of the apostles’ escape and that they were still proclaiming the gospel, they reprimanded them: “We gave you strict orders not to teach in [Jesus’] name” (v. 28).
Their reply: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (v. 29). As a result, the leaders flogged the apostles and “ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus” (v. 40).
The apostles rejoiced that they were worthy of suffering for Jesus’ name, and “day after day . . . never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news” (v. 42). May God help us to keep following their example!
By: Alyson Kieda
INSIGHT
The Sadducees (Acts 5:17) were among the first-century religious sects who were unfriendly to Jesus (see Matthew 16:1–12; 22:23–29). After His death and resurrection, His apostles also experienced resistance from them.
They were a party of priestly aristocrats, whom some believed traced their priestly roots to Zadok the priest who was loyal to kings David and Solomon (see 2 Samuel 15; 1 Kings 1).
They believed that the Torah (the Law) was the chief authority and held that the doctrine of resurrection couldn’t be defended from the Law.
APPLICATION
If you’ve ever been told to stop talking about Jesus, what was your response? What are some ways you can tell others about Him?
PR’s PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Why does the name Jesus the Christ still “haunt” so many if it was just a mere name given?:
“Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 nlt
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“The apostles rejoiced that they were worthy of suffering for Jesus’ name… May God help us to keep following their example!”
PRAYER
“Dear God, thank You for the example of the apostles and others who were bold witnesses for You. Please give me courage to follow their lead.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“THERE IS A NAME I LOVE TO HEAR”
There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
It tells me of a Savior’s love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner’s perfect plea.
Oh, how I love Jesus…
It tells me what my Father hath,
In store for every day,
And though I tread a darksome path,
Yields sunshine all the way.
Oh, how I love Jesus…
It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe,
Who in each sorrow bears a part
That none can bear below.
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
Numbers 12-14
Mark 5:21-43