“But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail” (Acts 5.17-18).
God was doing some amazing work through the apostles and the early church. Multitudes were coming to faith. Incredible miracles were taking place. Sick people were being healed and unclean spirits were being cast out (Acts 5:14-16). Who could possibly have a problem with any of this?
The Jewish leadership, that’s who. These men had a vested interest in the status quo and this fledgling Jesus movement was rocking the boat. The Sadducees in particular had forged a working arrangement with their Roman overlords. In exchange for controlling any messianic fervor, the Romans allowed these men to have a certain degree of power and latitude in internal Jewish affairs. The growing Christian presence was threatening all these men had built and valued. It had to be stopped, no matter how much good was being done.
The opposition of these leaders was being cloaked in a veneer of orthodoxy. Outwardly, they claimed to be defending God against a false messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. But God, through Luke, reveals their real motivation -- “...they were filled with jealousy.” This same issue resulted in the crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:18). Even Pilate could see through their pretensions. It will continue to be an issue as the book of Acts progresses (cf. Acts 13:45; 17:5).
That’s the danger of jealousy. It can blind us to the good around us. Following the raising of Lazarus from the dead, jealousy prompted the Jewish leadership to not only seek to kill Jesus but also Lazarus, the recipient of the miracle (John 11:47-53; 12:10-11)! Jealousy is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) and a seedbed for all kinds of evil (James 3:16). We must guard against giving it a foothold in our lives. It will destroy us if given an opportunity.
God loves you!
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