Gamaliel- a Tragedy?

 Gamaliel- a Tragedy?

Acts 5:34 (KJV)

[34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;[35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.[36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.[37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.[38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:[39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.[40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Gamaliel is perhaps most famous for being the teacher of a young man, Saul of Tarsus. Saul himself (now going by Paul) says that he sat at the feet of Gamaliel, which must have been a privileged position. In the above passage is a rare moment where Gamaliel might be best pictured as trying to be neutral in the furor about Jesus. He actually says that the meeting of these men might be of God, and if it is of God, the Jews would find themselves opposing God himself.

The irony is that persecution of the church was stopped only this once, and ever afterwards the Jews set themselves solidly against the church and this man whom they crucified, Jesus. In fact the next chapters of Acts unfold the story of Stephan, the first martyr of the church, killed by zealous Jews.

But what about Gamaliel? I think him a picture of tragedy—the man who almost came to realize the truth. We are not told how close he came and we do not ever have record of his coming to Jesus.

So, I think he is a bit of a tragic figure—the man who almost saw Christianity as a movement of God. But not quite.

In that I suppose there are many modern examples of people, who like Gamaliel, see some of the truth, but hang on the sidelines, never quite committing themselves. Like the rich young ruler, they end by walking away from the only one who could bring them life.

Are you one of those who look at the Truth, are interested, but just not willing to commit?

What about today? Plans committed to the Lord are likely to succeed. Try committing your life to him, and see if He is not worthy of all your commitment.