Open eyes

Acts 5:21-25 At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”  
 
THE Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – were witnesses to the Jews’ greatest moment in history. The Messiah had come. Jesus had shown to thousands during his ministry and hundreds after his resurrection that he is the Son of God. With very public demonstrations, Jesus’ healing power extended through his apostles. Their preaching had yielded thousands to repent and be baptized. Many people rejoice at the apostles’ testimonies of God’s promises of forgiveness and their eternal life.
   In addition, the Sanhedrin had spoken to Jesus during his ministry and heard his teachings. They surely knew the reports of his resurrection. They realized his uneducated disciples were now preaching and healing with life-changing power. Now as another day began, the apostles are preaching in the temple even though their jail cell’s door is still locked. The guards haven’t noticed them missing!
   Why then are the Sanhedrin and other officials puzzled, wondering what would come of this? In the midst of this very real physical evidence of God’s presence in Jerusalem, the ruling Jews once again rejected the LORD’s work. Jesus had bluntly and forcefully warned these men for their constant rejection of the evidence of God among them: Matthew 23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides!” and 23:17a “You blind fools!”
   This direct, judgmental language may seem out of character for our Savior. But in fact it reveals the evidence of God’s righteous love. There are times to be blunt with the truth. People must know he is “Savior” to save us from God’s wrath: John 12:48 “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.”
  Jesus sent the apostles to save the people from judgment. The apostles were doing the work required for the harvest. Still the Jews’ blind guides strived to darken the Jews’ eyes, so they could not see the evidence of God’s great love for his people.
   People must know they must be saved from judgment. They must know Jesus is Savior.