“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” Acts 5: 12-42

“He [Jesus] said to them go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

Good morning, Saints, and greetings from Crean Lutheran High School in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! 

Today’s reading was a bit longer than usual, but worth it! It will bring valuable context to today’s devotion. This devotion is being prepared a week prior to our Commencement Service, where we praise God for the gift of the individuals of the class of 2024 - a class blessed with very gifted Saints. I also had the honor to give the last chapel of the school year and the last high school chapel for our Seniors this past Thursday. This message, I pray, serves them as they embark on the next steps of their journey into the mission field – a mission field in desperate need of their courage, joy, hope, determination, peace, and faith - faith in the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  

Today’s devotion, “Nothing Lasts Forever?” is a reminder to our Seniors about whom they tangibly take with them into the mission field [Jesus Christ], who does last forever. It is also an encouragement for discernment as to what really lasts in this world, a lesson from Gamaliel (pronounced: guh · may · lee · uhl), a Jewish teacher of the law, who was held in honor by all the people. He maintains that if it is of God, it will last, but if it is of the follies of men, it will quickly disintegrate—sometimes referred to as the Gamaliel principle – a principle that we all can learn from and will do well to remember. 

My father often said it seems like “nothing lasts forever” anymore. He was a machinist who spent all his life working on machines that build things and that help others build things. For example, he fabricated lathes, presses, rolling mills, and tool and die machines that are important to manufacturing - much of which, by the way, is now done by Computer-Aided Design (CAD). His craft seems like an ancient craft now. I think his sensitivity to things lasting as long as possible was knowing that the machines he built needed to be reliable for those using them to produce and fabricate. He was also sensitive to poorly made tools and hated it when they broke and let him down, causing him to purchase new tools. This seemed like poor stewardship to him. Indeed, in his mechanical world, “nothing lasts forever.”

Is that really true? It is true that things don’t seem to be made as well anymore and are more disposable than ever before. How many hundreds of dollars worth of mobile phone upgrades have we (and our family members) had in the past five years? I compare that with my grandparents, who owned one phone attached to the wall in their only home their entire adult lives, that is, after it was invented and they could afford it in the late 1950s. Yes, it is also true that we live in a warp-speed world where things are rapidly changing. In fact, we must become experts in change management just to keep up! However, in the life of a Christian, we can be assured that one thing never changes: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! This is a truism. We know things are changing rapidly, but our Resurrected Savior crushed sin, death, and the devil forever (John 12:31). We also know that we are saved by grace through faith, a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8), and assured of eternal life forever. Yes, forever!

In today’s devotional verses, Gamaliel knew that the apostles were preaching after the death of Jesus, had already been imprisoned, and were in grave danger. He appealed to the Jewish temple leaders, the Sadducees, including the High Priest and council, who had forbidden them from continuing to preach in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The Lord’s angels thwarted efforts of imprisonment, releasing them after a brief overnight stay and instructing the apostles to continue to preach the gospel (Acts 5:19-20). This posed a problem for the Jewish leaders. It kind of sounds familiar, like the message of the Gospel is posing today, a problem with the world’s view—a problem our graduating Seniors face in the mission field soon. Praise the Lord that He has and will continue to equip them. 

Respected and honored Gamaliel stepped forward, reminding them of history and warning the Jewish leaders. God calls us to step forward and speak up! He [Gamaliel] said, “For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.” Acts 5:36. Further, he pointed out, After him [Theudas] Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.” Acts 5:37. He then courageously warned them, “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” Acts 5:38-39. Yikes, it causes a person to stop and think a bit, doesn’t it? It sure caused the Sadducees to pause; they let the apostles go, but not without beating them first and further warning them not to speak in the name of Jesus again (v. 40). 

How can this Gamaliel principle apply to our Seniors and our lives? Well, I can think of a couple of ways; you might have some ideas too. First, we must recognize that the follies of men don’t last, but if it is of God, it will. I also think it is a good idea not to be found opposing God, which means His Word, too. This principle can help order our lives and values, prioritizing aligning with those of God and being wary of temporal things of this world. It is healthy to have a stable anchor that can stand against the prevailing headwinds of this world; things of God will last forever - His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ – is the same yesterday, today, and forever! That never changes and will last forever, Saints.

Last week, my pastor called to check in and ask how the school year was finishing up. He reminded me of the Gamaliel principle and how it applies to our lives, relationships, and ministries. It was a good reminder, and it applies to our lives and the lives of our children. It may be a well-forgotten principle in today's world, but one worth thinking and praying about. 

Gamaliel’s wisdom assured him that God would never abandon those to whom He had revealed Himself, though they had suffered much: wars, persecutions, and exiles. God always used evil to bring about good. He never let the false prophets win—they each disintegrated and burned out in their own time. May our Seniors be guided by our Lord, who guides His flock according to His will, an eternal, incorruptible, and sovereign plan. We and our Seniors can have a good idea of what is of God by observing which teachings people and institutions endure and which do not. We pray that Crean Lutheran High School continues to serve the Lord well and always asks if it is of God.  

Senior Saints, as you go into the mission field, beyond the walls of Crean Lutheran High School and serve our God, remember what lasts is from God and that your call is from Jesus, our never-changing Savior, who lasts forever and will never forsake you as you go. Jesus said to each of you, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15. Amen.

We Pray. God, it is good for us to think about You and Your Sovereignty. Things of You last forever. Things of men and this world do not. Thank You for the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Bless our Seniors in the mission field that they would make an impact like Gamaliel so courageously did many years ago. Guide them, give them discernment, and give them Your peace. Bless us all that we would continue to share the hope of Christ with the world as Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation,” Be with those named in our hearts who are ill, suffering, or alone. Give hope and friendship to the lonely, and give healing, comfort, and hope to those suffering from affliction and ailment and who need care and comfort. We ask all this in the holy name of an unchanging Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Beavers, CEO

Crean Lutheran High School

dr.beavers@creanlutheran.org