Why Don't You Just Concede?
Rev. O. K. Nkrahene | March 4 2025 | Acts 5:26-32
KEY VERSE: ²⁷And when they had brought them, they set them before the Council. And the high priest questioned them, ²⁸saying "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Acts 5:27-28 (ESV)
MESSAGE: In Acts 4:5-6, we see that the Jewish Council was made up of prominent leaders. Their first confrontation with the apostles did not go well. The undeniable healing of a man who had been crippled for over forty years stood as evidence, and the Council was left in awe at the apostles’ boldness. They even acknowledged that these men had been with Jesus.
Despite witnessing this miracle, the Council still refused to accept the truth. Why didn’t they concede? Was it pride? Fear of losing power and influence? History has shown that people often resist the truth until they meet an unfortunate end. Saul relentlessly pursued David out of jealousy, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Now, in this second meeting, their refusal is even more glaring. The apostles had been miraculously freed from prison and were once again boldly preaching. Instead of admitting defeat, the Council tried to suppress the message. Their statement in verse 28 reveals their struggle: "You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." They avoided mentioning Jesus' name, referring to Him only as "this man." This echoes Matthew 27:62-68, where they called Jesus an impostor, refusing to acknowledge the truth. Pride prevented them from seeing what was right before them. When pride takes the lead, truth is often ignored—but surrendering to God brings clarity and freedom.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
King David’s downfall with Bathsheba is a classic example of how sin entangles us—the lust of the flesh, greed, and pride of life. Yet, when confronted by Prophet Nathan, David quickly repented, and God forgave him. His humility sets a powerful example of keeping short accounts with God.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, pride leads to destruction. Teach me to humble myself, to acknowledge my sins and failures quickly, and to seek Your forgiveness. Redirect me with Your wisdom and lead me in righteousness. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 63: Leviticus 13-14 — Laws on Skin Diseases and Purification
DAILY word study: QUESTIONED The Greek word for "questioned" in Acts 5:27 is ἐπηρώτησεν (eperōtēsen), meaning to interrogate, inquire deeply, or demand an answer. It is often used in legal or judicial settings where an authority figure seeks clarification.
The high priest’s questioning of the apostles was not a mere request for information—it was an attempt to intimidate them into submission. This was a continuation of the resistance seen in Acts 4:17-18, where the leaders sought to silence the message of Christ. Their refusal to acknowledge the miracles and transformation happening before them highlights how hardened hearts resist divine truth.
Reflections: How do we respond when confronted with God's truth? Do we seek to genuinely understand, or do we question with skepticism? The high priest’s interrogation was rooted in fear and self-preservation, but the apostles' responses were rooted in faith and obedience.
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