The physician Luke wrote how “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the door, and shall carry you out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband”, and in chapter five and verse eleven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “a great fear came upon all the church” where we read:
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
The verse begins, “And great fear came upon all the church, ...” Luke began with the words, “and great fear” which means “and massive, large and abundant terror, reverence, dread and awe” “came upon all the church” or “arose and appeared to each, every, the whole and everyone within the company of Christians or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake”. Luke shared how an “abundant reverence and awe” arose upon every believer in Jesus who was a part of His “church” or assembly of Christians.
The verse goes on to say, “... and upon as many as heard these things.” Luke continued with the words, “and upon as many as heard” which means “and on everyone who was endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding” “these things” or “the words and actions of Peter with Ananias and Sapphira”. Luke shared how “abundant reverence and awe” arose within every person who “heard” what happened with “Peter” and “Ananias and Sapphira”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the impact the events concerning Peter, Ananias and Sapphira had upon the “church” and everyone who “heard” about it. Immediately there arose a “reverence and awe” for God and His Spirit when they fell dead because they lied about the price received for their property. God is an awesome and “Holy” God, and no one is able to “stand” in His sight without the intercession of His Son Jesus Christ. (See 1 Samuel 6:20) Jesus came to bridge the gap between “unholy mankind” and “Holy God”, and when a person yields their life to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and give them access to God Almighty. Let all who read these words “take heed” and “reverence” the “Holy God” of the Universe as they humble themselves before Him in “awe”.
Next time Luke shares, “by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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