The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree. Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Gamaliel” told the religious leaders, “take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men” where we read:
And said unto them, You men of Israel,
take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men.
The verse begins, “And said unto them, You men of Israel, ...” Luke began with the words, “and said unto them” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to the other religious leaders”, “you men of Israel” or “you male human beings and descendants and members of the nation of Israel which means he shall be a prince of God”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” began to address the other religious leaders by referring to their “heritage” as belonging to the nation of “Israel”.
The verse goes on to say, “... take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men.” Luke continued with the words, “take heed to yourselves” which means “turn your attention to, attend to and be cautious toward your own selves” “what you intend to do” or “toward what you religious leaders intend, desire and purpose to perform” “as touching these men” which means “against and concerning the apostles”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” warned the other religious leaders to be very careful as to what they desired to perpetrate upon Jesus' “apostles”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Gamaliel” began to come to the defense of these “apostles” of Jesus. We shall learn why in our next few verses, but for now let us see the protective provision of God through this man “Gamaliel”. The “high priest” and other religious leaders wanted to “kill” the “apostles of Jesus”, but this intercession from “Gamaliel” would keep them alive at least for a little while longer. God has a plan a purpose for every person's life, and when they yield to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and set them on a path that fulfills His will and their eternal destiny with Him. Let all who read these words understand the provision of God for His “apostles” and His willingness to provide salvation for them as well.
Next time Luke shares how, “Gamaliel” says, “for before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody”, 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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