Love is dangerous! Fred Craddock once told about the arrest of a missionary in Asia. He had opened an orphanage and was helping the children. The government explained his arrest by saying his message was dangerous. Missionaries in many places around the world face this same challenge today.
When Jesus’ apostles began to help and to heal people like Jesus had done, the same people who crucified the Lord came after them. They were called into account for their dangerous work of healing a lame man. Peter answered by preaching another sermon. Notice that he gave all glory to the risen Lord. “There is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved.” The authorities threatened Peter and John if they continued to talk about Jesus. Peter said, “We can’t stop talking about Jesus.” As a result of his preaching, many more people became followers of Christ. The disciples prayed to our Sovereign God, not asking for relief from persecution but for boldness to proclaim the resurrection of Christ. God answered their prayer and made them bold.
Our message is still dangerous. We tell people about Jesus who died and rose again. No other person in history can make that claim. Jesus alone is the Resurrection and the Life. His name still possesses and provides the power to save everyone who believes in him and follows him. If a government told us today never to speak the name of Jesus again, would we comply? More importantly, how would it change our actual behavior? Are we talking about what Jesus has done for us? Why not today?