The UNSTOPPABLE FORCE

(Last of a three-part series)

The Triumphant Christ

By Noralyn Dudt

THEIR numbers were growing and had caught the attention of the authorities. They have been  told "to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people." They were ordered  to refrain from all public  speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John said, "we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

The Book of Acts in the New Testament provides a record of how the 12 disciples (plus Paul, and minus Judas) of Christ starting in Jerusalem, went about the  Roman Empire preaching the Good News they have heard and seen  from THE  TEACHER, whom they were with, side by side  for three years. It was what we may call an "intensive study and training."

"The Apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people… more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed."

This made the high priest and all his associates who were members of the elitist  Sadducees filled with jealousy and had the apostles arrested, jailed and even flogged. But Peter, John and their group could not stop telling the wonderful story that they have seen, heard  and experienced. As they were unstoppable, they were threatened with death.

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, an honorable man and a teacher of the law interfered. He addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men…."

Gamaliel reminded them of a man named Theudas who claimed to be somebody, and had a following of about four hundred men.  But he was killed and his whole following was "broken up and disappeared." And another man named Judas came after Theudas  who induced the people to revolt under his leadership, but he too perished and his whole following was scattered. The wise Gamaliel concluded:

"I advise you, leave these men alone. Let them go. For if the purpose or activity is of human origin, it will collapse. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

"Fighting against God" was surely not their intention but somehow they thought this  Name would be become a threat to their authority.

Let's go back to Jesus' trial at  Pilate's court where  Pilate had questioned Jesus over and over again, wondering why the Jewish authorities would want  to condemn such a seemingly innocent man to death;  "Are you a king?"  Jesus replied, "my kingdom is not of this world…." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus replied, "you are right to say I am a king. In fact , for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on this side of truth listens to me."

The Cathedral of Cologne, Germany

This man who claimed he was a king but no army to support that claim convinced Pilate that he posed no threat at all to his province, and to the Roman Empire. The Jewish leaders saw it differently—they understood that this peaceful man who did not seek power by military means like other earthly rulers, posed a greater threat to their control than a rebel leader with armed followers. They wanted this man to die. They wanted to do away with him, forever. And He was put to death and laid in a tomb. They made sure of that.  But he rose from the dead and now His followers were  unstoppable. These were the men who for three years were with Jesus who showed them who God was and what God was  like. They watched Him heal the lepers; they were there when he raised Lazarus from the dead. They heard Him say, "Before Abraham was, I AM." The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. They saw Him go up to heaven. And they experienced the Holy Spirit descending on them like tongues of fire (The Pentecost).

It was what they have seen, heard, and experienced, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that made them an unstoppable force. The Teacher instructed these very human and imperfect human beings to "love one another" as He had loved them. They were an odd group of men whose capabilities and potential their Creator knew, and what they could become. Very ordinary men whom God used in extraordinary ways. Because of what they did, the world was turned upside down.

A world is turned upside down when God's enduring love—his sacrificial  death on the cross to conquer death for us by rising back to life—is at the center of the message. It is  that message that compelled men and women to become  Christ-like individuals that brought about the radical changes in society that made the world a better place. Jesus'  teachings inspire and encourage people to develop intelligence and character that is focused on nurturing souls and fostering loving relationships with others. Just as those unstoppable Twelve went around spreading  and teaching the Good News about 1,975 years ago, even just a small group of people here and there today can bring about monumental changes in their own  small ways  that will  make the world a better place.

Happy 1,995th birthday to the Christian community. ✝️

And Christ said, "…and be assured, I am with you always, to the end of time."

 

Noralyn Onto Dudt is very much  awed by the fact that  the Christian Community had survived these past 1,995 years. That the Church remains victorious and vibrant despite its turbulent beginnings, the hostilities and persecutions by ruling powers throughout the ages are a testament to God's power, faithfulness and loving care.