The Courage to Take a Stand - August 11
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94, [95] Judges 13:1-15; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36
Four years ago, in Fall 2016, a crisis was intensifying at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, 1,300 miles from where I was beginning seminary in Austin, Texas. The dispute involved a disagreement between the Lakota Sioux and an energy company who wanted to build a crude oil pipeline across Sioux land. The people of Standing Rock were opposed to the pipeline as they believed it to be a threat to their water supply and to the sacredness of the land.
People around the country sympathetic with their cause began lifting their voices in support of the Lakota Sioux Water Protectors. By early November, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called Episcopalians to pray for the Water Protectors. A small group of my classmates at the Seminary of the Southwest were inspired to sacrifice their time, comfort, and even safety by traveling to North Dakota over Thanksgiving break to “Stand with Standing Rock.”
Besides undergoing the discomforts of the long journey, the intense cold of North Dakota in November, and sleeping on the floor of a poorly insulated church building, my friends also put their lives at risk to stand up for what they believed was right. While I was enjoying Thanksgiving with family and friends in sunny Florida, I watched (via videos, photos, and narratives shared through social media) as Radha, Lauren, Joe, Jonathan, Christine, Matt, and Michelangelo volunteered side by side with Lakota Sioux and local clergy including the Rev. John Floberg, an Episcopal priest of three churches at Standing Rock. The situation became intense at times, as water hoses, flares, and other means were used by local authorities seeking to end the protests.
As I reflect on today’s passage from Acts 5, I am reminded of these classmates and how they set aside their own comfort and safety to stand up for what they believe. When Peter and the apostles were brought before the council, they had to answer for continuing to preach about Jesus, though they had been given strict orders to cease: “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. … And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him’” (Acts 5:28-30, 32). After the apostles made the above statement, the majority of those seated on the council “were enraged and wanted to kill them” (5:33). Enter Gamaliel.
Gamaliel is only mentioned by name twice in all of Scripture. However, while he may not be well known to us today, he was, according to one commentary, “the most prominent rabbi of his day and [later] the teacher of Paul. He belonged to the Pharisaic minority on the Sanhedrin but had considerable influence” (ESV Study Bible).
Gamaliel could have just sat quietly and gone along with the will of the majority—and it would have been easier for him to do so. Instead, Gamaliel, “a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, ‘Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. … because if this plan or undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’” (Acts 5:33-39).
Because Gamaliel was willing to speak out for what he thought was right, and to stand up for people with less power and influence, he changed the course of not only the apostles’ lives, but in turn of everyone whose lives over the centuries were impacted by those apostles and their continued ministry of spreading the good news of Christ.
Questions for Self-Reflection
Think of a time when you found yourself disagreeing with the majority. How did it feel? How did you handle the situation?
Has anyone ever stood up for you in a situation in which you were the one with less power? How has your life been changed as a result?
Daily Challenge
Ask God to place on your heart an individual or a cause who needs an advocate. Prayerfully open your mind to finding some tangible way that you could stand up for this person or cause.