I Cannot Refrain

“So they summoned them and gave orders not at all to refer to or to teach in reliance of the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied to them, ‘…we cannot refrain from telling what we have seen and heard.’” Acts 4:18-20

Peter and John, as well as the other disciples, were not educated in the elite manner of the ruling religious leaders. That does not mean they were scholarly dropouts, they just lacked the necessary requirements to teach religion. Or so it seemed to the ones who did have the education; the Sanhedrin.

They didn’t like these upstarts disrupting Jerusalem, teaching that Jesus had risen from the dead, and healing people in his name. It is interesting that they never disputed the notion the Jesus rose from the tomb, nor the validity of the healings. They only argued their significance. Of course, if these all pointed to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, the leaders would have to admit their own guilt in putting him to death. They understood both the logic and the ramifications.

But, the also knew they could not act too harshly in regards to the disciples’ preaching. They had received much favor among the people and the Sanhedrin did not want ot chance a revolt. So, the merely forbade Peter and John from teaching in Jesus’ name.

I love Peter and John’s response. It was not a reply with due respect, but also revealing the truth of their passion for Jesus. “You decide what is right,” they said. “But we can’t refrain from talking about what we have seen!”

I wonder if that is the difference between the witness of early disciples and our witness today. Peter and John didn’t go to a seminar on evangelism, learn a number of ways to lead people to a decision, and then go door to door in their neighborhood. It went far deeper than that.

Christ was their life; He bubbled out from everything they did. Their reply was not so much “we have to obey.” With all reverence, I think it was more like what a young man in love experiences. No one tells him, “You must talk about your girlfriend.” He, indeed, “cannot refrain” from talking about her.

Jesus wooed the disciples with truth and with love. They knew He was the Messiah because they witnessed Him very much alive following the crucifixion. They knew the tomb was empty, everyone knew the tomb was empty. And they had talked with, eaten with and touched the occupant of that tomb alive and well. After forty days they saw Him ascend to heaven.

He showed up every time they began to doubt. Alone and frightened in an upper room, Jesus walked through the locked door and proved Himself alive. Peter, fearing all was lost because of his denial of Christ, found himself in a private forgiveness session. Jesus showed up along the banks of the sea to ask Peter to feed His sheep. Peter would never forget that Jesus was alive, and that He loved him unconditionally.

“We cannot refrain from telling what we have seen and heard!” Is our lack because we simply have not developed the same intimacy with Christ? All I know is that after nearly 40 years of walking with Him, He has never let me down.

So, forgive me if I don’t jump on bandwagons that insist schools teach creationism or Republicans rule the political roost. It is Jesus whom I cannot refrain from talking about. It is Jesus who loved me before I knew Him. It is Jesus who rose from the dead, filled this life with newness and loved me no matter my state of heart or mind.

Indeed, I cannot refrain from telling what I have seen and heard. And, what I have seen and heard concerning Christ is only, always, good.