God Is with Them

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NKJV).

We see in Acts 4 that as Peter and John stood waiting for judgment to be pronounced, the man who had just been healed stood with them. There, in the flesh, was living proof that Peter and John had been with Jesus. Now, as the synagogue rulers looked on “and seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it” (Acts 4:14).

What did Peter and John do when they were released? “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them” (Acts 4:23). The saints in Jerusalem rejoiced with the two disciples, then they prayed, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word, by stretching out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). They were praying, “God, thank you for the boldness you’ve given our brothers, but we know this is just the beginning. Please, keep us all bold to speak with holy assurance. Provide evidence that you are with us.”

No doubt, Peter and John had seen the look of resignation on the high priest’s face when he realized they had been with Jesus. Peter must have winked at John and said, “If they only knew. They only remember that we were with Jesus weeks ago. They don’t realize we’ve been with the resurrected Lord ever since. We were just with him, in the Upper Room. Just this morning we were with him as we prayed in our cell. And as soon as we get out of here, we’re going to meet him again.”

That’s what happens with men and women who spend time with Jesus. When they come away from their time with Christ, he is with them wherever they go.