Before the Judge

Acts 4:15-22

As I read this story of the leaders of the Jews telling Peter and John to no longer speak or teach in the name of Jesus, listen to Peter and John’s reply: “But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

(Acts 4:19-20 ESV)  These leaders were not men who feared God but they did fear the people and the people had seen what only could be called a miracle.  As Paul Harvey would say, and this is the rest of the story: “And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.” (Acts 4:21-22 ESV)

It is amazing how the Lord brings back into our minds the events of the past, and how they make you think about how you have lived life on planet earth.  I was called for Jury duty in Houston, Texas and it was the last place I wanted to be.  Now this had happened many times before but, for the first time I made the cut, I was in the last group of people listening to the lawyers, on both sides, tell us about the case that we would be hearing.  The defense lawyer began to tell us a story of another case, but he said it is very close to what happen in this case that we would be hearing.  This was the scenario; the police were called for domestic violence and were invited into the home, while in the house they saw heroin displayed on a table in the house, and in that they did not have a warrant that evidence was not to be considered by those on the jury.  The lawyers goes on to ask if any of us would have a problem forgetting that fact, if the Judge told us it was not to be considered, and I raised my hand and said I would not be able to do so.  At that, the lawyer informed me that if the Judge ordered me to do so I must, and once more my answer was, I could not do that.  The judge was an old man who was sitting in for another judge and he called me down before him, now I must say that added some pressure to my decision.  The Judge looked down at me and in a strong voice asks, “Mr. Rice are you telling this court that you will not follow my instructions?”

I must tell you I was intimidated, I was not sure what the judge would do to me, but I said your honor, I am not being defiant but I could not remove that thought from my mind, I am just being honest.  And sweeter words I’ve never heard, than what came from the judge, “Mr. Rice you are dismissed, leave my court.” 

Now, I’m not what anyone would call brave, I stood as Peter and John did with one great exception, the truth they stood for was the good news of Jesus Christ, mine was just being true to myself.  My judge could have maybe charged me with contempt of court, but the Judges that Peter and John stood before could have had them beaten and imprisoned.  In my case only I praise God, but in the case of Peter and John, all the people were praising God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice