Scripture

Acts 5:17-21 (NIV)

Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

Consider

The Jewish religious leaders arrested the apostles because they were filled with jealousy. They had watched their flock respond with fresh hope and enthusiasm to the apostles’ message, and they knew they were losing their power and religious authority. The Sadducees tried to silence the apostles by locking them up, but God sent an angel to release them, ironic because the Sadducees denied the existence of angels as well as the resurrection. God’s angel not only opened the jail doors but also instructed the apostles to return immediately to the temple and continue preaching the Good News.

Just like the Sadducees, Satan jealously guards his power by muzzling God’s truth-tellers. He spins webs of deceit and jealousy among us until we bind ourselves with our own sin and selfishness, rendering ourselves crippled and ineffective ambassadors for Christ.

The truth that Satan wants to keep secret is that Jesus has given us authority over this enemy’s dangerous powers. The Spirit who lives in us can break any chains that keep us bound and mute. Jealousy and hurt, anger and bitterness need not defeat our witness for God nor destroy our relationships.

In fact, the Spirit works tirelessly on our behalf against the powers of this enemy. Like the apostles, we are freed from enemy chains by God’s grace and then instructed to go and bless others. As forgiven people, we are released to free others from the prisons we build with our judgments and criticisms.

Pray

FATHER, show me all the ways I have built prisons of jealousy, selfish desires, and hurtful behaviors. Give me grace to release others from my expectations and judgments. Invade my relationships with your wisdom and tender mercies and heal the wounds we have inflicted upon one another.

Reflect

Psalm 142:6-7; Luke 10:17-18

Ponder

In what ways do you feel bound by sin in your relationships?