Compelled to Speak Up

The authorities could hardly believe their ears! “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” After a brief consultation among themselves, the religious rulers forbade John and Peter to speak in Jesus’ name. The disciples’ reply was a classic defense that rang as true in their politically correct, pluralistic, multicultural society as it does in ours: “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. They were compelled to speak up—they couldn’t help it—because they had been with Jesus! They had been with Him when….

…the blind received sight,

…the ears of the deaf were cleansed,

…the lame walked,

…the tormented were set free,

…the dead were raised to life!

They had seen five thousand people fed with five loaves and two fish!

They had seen Jesus calm the wind and waves with a word!

They had seen Jesus walk on the water!

They had seen Jesus confound the Pharisees!

They had been with Jesus!

They had heard Him pray!

They had felt His touch!

They had witnessed His power!

They had seen His glory!

They had received His love!

They had seen Jesus crucified!

They had seen Jesus buried!

They had seen the empty tomb!

They had seen Jesus alive and risen from the dead!

How could they ever be silent again?!

They knew too much

…and had heard too much

…and had felt too much

…and had learned too much—

They were under compulsion so speak up!

Friends, why do we seem to make speaking up for Jesus so complicated? If He fills our hearts, He is going to come out on our lips! Like Peter and John, we will not be able to help “speaking about what we have seen and heard” of Him!