Obeying God or Men
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” – John 10:31-32 NKJV.
There has been a strange occurrence in Mount Vernon, New Hampshire where a woman, Adriene Valdez (age 28), was having difficulty breathing. However, it is not clear whether she called 911, or if her neighbors or family members did. When the emergency response team of three EMTs arrived at the home, they found Adriene sitting on her lawn still having breathing problems. One of the EMTs trying to determine the reason for the breathing distress asked Adriene a question. In response to being asked a question, the woman reportedly head butted two of the emergency workers; and then attacked the third, hitting and biting the EMT. The attack was savage, resulting in the EMTs sustaining bites, bruises, and even some broken bones. Adrienne was arrested, and has not yet posted bail pending a court hearing.
What an incredibly shocking response to those who were simply trying to help save someone’s life! It must have a terrible surprise to have a person appearing to be so ill to suddenly attack with such viciousness! No one in their right minds would think that Adriene had acted in an appropriate manner. None of us, unless under the influence of some substance or mentally ill, would act in that way. Let us hope and pray the EMTs recover from their injuries and continue to have the desire to serve their community.
Jesus has a lot in common with those EMTs in Mount Vernon. Because Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).” Jesus was sent to “heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).” However, the response of the Jews was similar to the woman who attacked the EMTs. What did the Jews do? They “took up stones again to stone Him.” The Jews fully intended to kill the One who would be their Savior! Incredible!
Jesus may not be walking physically upon this earth, but His followers are. Have you ever tried to share Jesus with someone, and then have them act like you were doing something wrong? Who are we to obey? God or men? In the Book of Acts, we are told this: “And the high priest asked them, saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:28-29).’” Some have tried to witness at work, and then their co-workers try to have them fired. Or, they are punished by being given the most difficult work, or are ostracized by the other workers. If this has happened to you, rejoice for you are following in the steps of your Lord and Savior, just as did the apostles!
(When you are confronted with the choice of obeying God or of obeying men – who do you obey?)