Emotional responses to the best news ever

The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!

…The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority…

When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them…The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”
Acts 5:17-20; 26-29; 33; 41-42 

This world is setup to reject the truth about why we exist, and the good news associated with Jesus’ death and resurrection—that what we often tag as ‘the gospel’. It is indeed good news, in fact, it is really the BEST news EVER. And only God can open our naturally blind eyes to see its beauty and not reject or discard it. 

Without this work of God, from an early age we (albeit unwittingly) teach and model patterns our children pick up which exalt self and perception over relationships and reality. The religious elite here in Acts 5 were so in this situation. They might have been taught the laws of the Lord, but they were so steeped in their religious dogma, historical propaganda, and desires to conform, that they rejected the message of the apostles. 

It meant they responded enviously, confused and from a truly unsettled and dis-regulated state, which led to them furiously punishing the apostles for no crime whatsoever. 

This is not a new pattern. Threats to the human nervous system which trigger dis-regulated unhealthy emotions are rife. Brought up in this serpent-captivated world, we are led to see the world without God (for the most part) in culture, government, and many relationships, such that our conditioning means we baulk at anything new or different. 

Praise be to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for his power which created such positive emotions in the apostles! See their confidence, joy, and courage!

Yet, without the Spirit of God renewing our weak nervous systems (hearts), negative emotions takeover and lead to further emotions and related thoughts, such as confusion, puzzlement, and likely, rejection. Thoughts we cannot process! Thoughts which lead to further triggers, and increased dis-regulation. Thoughts which lead to irrational and disproportionate actions—such as flogging and death threats—which actually appear to us as quite logical. 

This is all in the name of perverted safety. Created in the image of God, emotions are nothing to be scared, sceptical or ashamed of. Core emotions of joy, (true reverential) fear, sadness, (righteous) anger, disgust, and even envy are part of the divine being. Jesus felt many of these emotions whilst walking this earth. The Preacher to the Hebrews says we have a High Priest who “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Heb. 4:15)

So what was it that tipped these well-read, learned, and distinguished religious elite? I believe it is the radical, upside-down, relational nature of the true gospel. It did not fit their expectation. In fact, it challenged their core believes and way of life. It was dangerous to them—hence this dis-regulated, and yes, wicked, response.

But, let’s not get distracted by the wickedness we see here. It is behaviour communicating struggle. What could the apostles have done differently? Nothing! They obeyed their Saviour, sharing his good news to whomever would listen.

Parents, is this a challenge for us regarding what we model for, and teach our children? We can teach them all the truths, show them all the scriptures, and correct all their behaviours—but what are they learning about the true relational nature of the BEST NEWS EVER?

What can we do differently to demonstrate the love of Jesus, and model a relationship with him? How can we provide a paradigm which revolves around this good news from an early age?

Ultimately, our children are wholly responsible for their response to God’s invitation. Just as we cannot blame the parents of the religious elite in Acts 5, we must have compassion on ourselves, and do what we can. Let us obey God, not man. Let us show our children what it truly means to relate with God in a healthy way, and NOT confirm to the standards of this world. 

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2