Sunday 16, August 2026

Sometimes stories in the Bible feel like a series or a soap opera being played out. This is more pronounced when we’re partaking just enough to chew on at each go. In my days, if it were a soap opera, each episode was preceded by a summary, ‘the story so far’. Some posed questions at the end of each episode, as though it were a cliffhanger; then they would state ‘learn more in the next episode of …’.

Thus far, the apostles have been brought before the religious council for questioning. This was a second summons, a trial following up on their prior arrest and imprisonment. The chief priest and religious leaders were alerted to a strange jailbreak.

The apostles were not in jail, but the cell was still heavily guarded. Shortly after, the prisoners were found at the scene of their crime, the temple. They were once again preaching, the crime for which they were arrested.

How did the high priest react when he saw the apostles? Did he try to arrest them once again, or were they released? Learn more as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 5:27-28 CEVDCI

[27] When the apostles were brought before the council, the high priest said to them,

[28] “We told you plainly not to teach in the name of Jesus. But look what you have done! You have been teaching all over Jerusalem, and you are trying to blame us for his death.”

Appearances vs Repeat Offenders

It wasn’t only jealousy. It seems there was a bit of guilt or annoyance about the content of the apostles’ sermons that led to the arrest. That probably was the real reason for the preaching ban. The sermons presented the religious leaders in a negative light, which displeased them. Please note, the high priest’s comment does not categorically state that they regarded themselves as innocent of crucifying Y’shua. Rather, he asserted that he did not wish to have that thought being circulated in Jerusalem. Given his spiritual and political role in that era, being seen as pious mattered a lot. Murder and crucifixion ruined that image. Could it be that he was more concerned about appearances?

Self-Check

How concerned are we about what people may think? Does it dictate our actions?

Application

Appearances matter. Paul calls us to shun the very appearance of evil in 1 Thessalonians 5:22. But shunning the appearance of evil means we avoid it, not pretend to be uninvolved. The high priest’s question to the apostles not only reveals his fixation with appearances; it also takes us to 2 Timothy 3:5, which warns against fake holiness. Moreover, we can hear Y’shua’s stark warning in Matthew 23, where he compared the religious leaders to whitened sepulchres. They were furious. Yet their fury resulted in their participation in his crucifixion.

[I suspect His life wasn’t the only one that would have perished at their instigation. It explains the existence of temple guards, i.e, religious secret service, who guarded the treasury, ensured maintenance of order, protected the most holy places, and were only answerable to the high priest and the Sanhedrin. Sometimes persons were arrested and charged for misdeeds. Perhaps sometimes those charges were fake.]

The charges against the apostles were not fake. They had done what the high priest said they had done. They were repeat offenders. And their offence was premeditated. But the apostles didn’t lie. They spoke their truth. An expensive truth. One that could cost them, especially after that mysterious jailbreak. They were also faced with a ‘life-defining’ choice. Would they go with the status quo at this second trial, or would they stand for Y’shua?

Knowing the apostles, the answer may seem non-negotiable. But, in their shoes, would we qualify as first-time offenders? Moreover, would there be cause for us to be repeat offenders for the sake of the Gospel? Judas may have been the only one to betray Jesus as he did. Yet, we may have denied Christ several times by our words and actions. Do we need to heed Y’shua’s warning in Matthew 10:33 against denying Him on earth? Let’s check our motives and actions before Christ today.

Point to Ponder

Let us pause to invite God’s coverage over those repeat offenders who are facing religious persecution all around the world. May God’s grace sustain them regardless of the motives of their attackers.

Is there any aspect of our faith walk that is more about appearance than faith?

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May all we seek be found in Christ