That they had been with Jesus

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. - Acts 4.13

It is hard to imagine a less likely foundation or the church than these disciples. John MacArthur refers to them as 'twelve ordinary men.' These guys were not superstars. There were fishermen and tax collectors. They were not the scholars and saints. They were just everyday folk like  you and me.

When the Jews saw Peter and John the realised they were not trained or educated. They were simple men, but something stood out about them. They had an unusual boldness. They had courage and confidence and conviction far above what they should have considering who they were. They were just fishermen - that's all, nothing special.

Except for one little thing – they had been with Jesus.

And that makes all the difference in the world.

When we are with Jesus the weak can defeat the mighty. When we are with Jesus the foolish can defeat the wise. When we are with the base and despised become useful and beautiful.

The Jewish leaders recognised that Peter had John had been with Jesus, then it all clicked. No wonder things were different with them.

Do those around us have any idea that we have been with Jesus?