27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:27-32

What a transformation for Peter! Recall he denied Christ three times while warming himself near a fire on the night before the crucifixion. Now he was leading a group of men and women who were fearless and bold.

The Jewish leadership was still worried about their reputation and the appearance of guilt. Peter pointed the finger at them because they were guilty, but he also shared the Gospel with them. But weren’t these men so steeped in their own traditions and religion that they would never repent? Possibly, but Peter was giving them the benefit of the doubt.

We never know where a person is in their spiritual journey. Even the so-called hardest of hearts could be putting on a charade to mask what’s going on inside.

There is someone in your life who is like that. That person is “hard to read,” but you have a heart to pray. Don’t give up praying for that person because you may be the only person in the world praying for that person. That’s significant. Let them know you’re praying and watch the reaction. You’ll be surprised at how well your prayers are received.