How is it possible that great joy was overtaking the people of whom Luke writes in the Acts of the Apostles? In the verses just before that quotation, Stephen, one of the original deacon servants has been put to death. And Saul, the great persecutor of “those who followed the Way,” stood watch over Stephen’s martyrdom. His influence among those who would erase Jesus, the Messiah, from his people’s map and memory was only growing and intensifying.

     In the broader picture, the Romans had not gone home, and their demands upon the people through forced labor and crippling taxation were not lifted...Joy?

     Yes, joy! The proclamations of His witnesses, and works they did in His name were enough for the people to see beyond all these things, to see more deeply into the hearts of their oppressors and the Heart of God. In his First Letter, Peter calls people so engaged and so inspired to be people of hope, of gentleness and reverence, and of clear conscience. They will know that joy that is welling up in their lives, and will become instruments of that joy for others.

     In time, Saul would come to know Christ and, converted fully, Paul would transform the lives of believers as well as his own. The Romans, over a longer period of time, would see their power in Galilee and Judea wane, as it would throughout their vast empire. The Kingdom “not of this world” would reach wider and deeper to bring people freedom. In the face of whatever oppresses us, we know that it, too shall pass, but who we are and become in its teeth shall not pass!