“1 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example. 3 So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.”

Acts 4:1-4

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People who offended by the Gospel, who are upset by the news of the resurrection, they are going to do their best to quiet us & discredit us as we testify to the truth. Peter and John were sharing what most of us would consider to be something positive, they were preaching healing and redemption and seasons of refreshing, but because it was through Jesus, the religious leaders didn’t like it, the Sadducees were particularly upset because they had no belief in the resurrection. And so we see the Gospel, even in its infancy, is working against the worldview of society. The Gospel provokes because it is so counter-cultural. It goes against everything that humanity sets up for itself. The Gospel provokes because it flies in the face of everything that our so-called intelligence and education promotes and encourages. The Gispel provokes because it tells us the hard truth that we are not at the top of the ladder, that we are not the end-all, be-all. 

Peter and John knew that this sort of thing would happen. Jesus guaranteed them that it would, and so they plowed forward in boldness and unashamed. Our generation needs a little more boldness. Our western culture could use a good provocation by the Gospel. We need to be firm in our stance, vocal about the truth and prolific with our love. Jesus didn’t call us to be jerks. He didn’t call us to be brash or rude. But He did call us to be provocative, to stir the pot, to unsettle the comfortable. That is part and parcel with the Gospel message. 

So, as you GoLove, don’t be timid. Don’t be shy about it. The gospel is going to be offensive. The gospel is going to provoke. Be wise and don’t just burn bridges with it, but stand firm, speak up and be bold in your sharing. The world needs some holy provocateurs, some righteous conspirators who will bring the love and good news of Jesus to a lost, blind, hurting world.

Go shake things up!