When they, Peter and John, were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Now Peter and John, upon being released, and after having been threatened, that's a key part, up in verse 21, they had been interrogated, they had been in prison, and they were further threatened.
Upon being released and after having experienced that, they went to their friends. They went to their companions, those who knew them best, those who loved them. Why?
Why did they do that? I'm going to argue because that was their habit to do that. Right?
They instinctively did that because that was their habit. Maybe you're thinking, well, this just might have been a logical reaction. Like, "Okay, we're out of jail. Where else are we going to go?" They might not have thought about doing anything other than that.
And you might be sitting here thinking, Ben, really? What else were they supposed to do? This doesn't necessarily mean they had a habit of running to those who knew them best. To that, I would say, well, let's look at what we've read so far in the Book of Acts, to see if maybe this was their habit.
You can follow along with me if you want. But Acts 1, 12-15, after Jesus ascended to heaven, they all gathered and continually devoted themselves to prayer. (Instance #1)
Acts 2-1, when the day of Pentecost happened, they were all together in one place. They gathered together. (Instance #2)
We find another instance in Acts 2-44 (Instance #3). And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common. In the first two chapters, we read three different occasions where they were gathered together.
So it could be argued that they had made a habit of being together. Do we have every single detail? No, because the book of Acts would be rather long if we had every single detail.
But we have at least three examples in the first two chapters of the Apostles gathering together to pray. So, it makes logical sense then that after this event of being interrogated, imprisoned, and threatened, once they were released out of habit, they went to their friends, their companions, those who knew and loved them best, because that is what they were in the habit of doing. It's fair to say that he had built a new habit when faced with unexpected events.
So, this is the point, habits impact your reaction. What is your habit when the unexpected comes your way?
Which the unexpected WILL come your way, right? The reason why I do counseling is because the unexpected comes in all sorts of forms to everybody. What's your habit when the unexpected comes your way?
Is your habit something in the fear category? Is your habit something in the anger category? Is your habit something in the depressed category?”
I want to encourage you to make a CONSISTENT habit of being with Christian brothers and sisters ALL OF THE TIME so that when the unexpected comes your way, you will not have to figure out where to go and who to talk to...it will be second nature...it will be a habit.
From Christ the Redeemer: If Anyone Lacks, Let Him Pray - Acts 4.23-37 [Ben Marshall], Jun 30, 2024
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christ-the-redeemer/id1458064321?i=1000660851757
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