"Best Name Ever"

"And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:18

Interesting that such an amazing miracle would cause this response, this judgement by the religous rulers of the day. They themselves admitted the validity of the miracle in both verse 14 "And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it." and in verse 16 "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it."

While they couldn't deny the miracle they definitely wanted to silence it as much as possible! In verse 17 they come to this conclusion: 'But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severly threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." Their problem wasn't with the miracle itself the name in which it had been done.

Peter and John had the right response despite the threat against them. "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Peter and John were being threatened because they had come across this man who had been lame for forty years and had spoken these words to him, "Silver and gold I do not have but what I do have I give you, 'In the name of Jesus rise up and walk."

The words that had them in trouble - "In the name of Jesus."  We too live in a day when the name of Jesus will get you in trouble with the leaders of the day. Try saying the name of Jesus in a public school today. You too will be "severely threatened." and told not to, "speak nor teach in the name of Jesus!"

Thank you LORD that I teach in a Christian School where I am allowed to not only speak and teach your name but I have the privilege of being able to offer The best name ever, Jesus, to those in need!

My prayer for you and I as believers in today's world is simply the same one that Peter and John prayed after they were released: "Now Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness we may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." Amen