Chapter 5 - The Pace Quickens

In chapter 5, Luke, the narrator of the book picks up the pace substantially. The events in the book are notable for their nature.  
First, there is this terrible story of Ananias and Sapphira. The story comes out of the description of the sharing community at the end of chapter 4. Ananias and Sapphira are a couple who want to participate in the communal feeling, but they clearly put themselves first. The story is certainty written in a way that implies that they were judged for lying about what they were giving to the community, what they were giving to God. 
We have to let stories like this bother us. In the story it is God and God alone who holds the power of judgment. We ought never use stories like this to take that power ourselves. We should, however, be discerning. We should see that there is a tendency to put ourselves first, to turn family or couple into an idol above even God. With stories like this you read them, then you pray them. Dear God, give me understanding. What is going on in this story?  

The chapter also contains another description of the community and of the miraculous signs and healings within the community. May we be open to the supernatural power of God in the world and in our lives. 
After this interlude there is a lengthy account of the disciples being jailed, being freed by way of angelic miracle and continuing to preach. Once again we see the working of the disciples being criminalized. The political and religious leaders are “jealous”. The prison and incarceration will become a major theme in the book. 

Dear God; 
Bless us today to know your presence. We pray for one another, for our needs, our sorrows, our concerns and our joys. We pray that we would reflect your love this day.
We thank you for the gift of living today and for every person we get to see today. Forgive us our sins, open our eyes to the sorrow and pain and oppression in the world. Show us our shortcomings so that we may see your goodness and your love. 
In Jesus’ name, Amen.