Scripture: Acts 12: 1-17 (The Message)
1-4 That’s when King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members. He murdered James, John’s brother. When he saw how much it raised his popularity ratings with the Jews, he arrested Peter—all this during Passover Week, mind you—and had him thrown in jail, putting four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He was planning a public lynching after Passover.
5All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously.
6Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even though shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances!
7-9Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” The handcuffs fell off his wrists. The angel said, “Get dressed. Put on your shoes.” Peter did it. Then, “Grab your coat and let’s get out of here.” Peter followed him, but didn’t believe it was really an angel—he thought he was dreaming.
10-11Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. At the first intersection the angel left him, going his own way. That’s when Peter realized it was no dream. “I can’t believe it—this really happened! The Master sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s vicious little production and the spectacle the Jewish mob was looking forward to.”
12-14Still shaking his head, amazed, he went to Mary’s house, the Mary who was John Mark’s mother. The house was packed with praying friends. When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young woman named Rhoda came to see who it was. But when she recognized his voice—Peter’s voice!—she was so excited and eager to tell everyone Peter was there that she forgot to open the door and left him standing in the street.
15-16But they wouldn’t believe her, dismissing her, dismissing her report. “You’re crazy,” they said. She stuck by her story, insisting. They still wouldn’t believe her and said, “It must be his angel.” All this time poor Peter was standing out in the street, knocking away.
16-17Finally they opened up and saw him—and went wild! Peter put his hands up and calmed them down. He described how the Master had gotten him out of jail, then said, “Tell James and the brothers what’s happened.” He left them and went off to another place.
Observation: Several things pop out at me from this reading. First is secure in what whatever happens His protector is there. How else do we account for his “sleeping like a baby”. The jails were not outfitted with modern day conveniences as they are today–cable tv, game rooms, library, etc. Peter was secure! We can be secure in knowing we have a protector in our darkest moment. Second, Peter’s astonishment of G–d’s grace to him in setting him free. G– can and will free us from our bondage to sin. Finally, to see Peter embraced by his friends (I can see the tears flowing, the hugs and kisses, and the electricity of excitement filling the room). I can’t help but wonder what it will be like in Heaven–the embrace of fellow brothers and sisters, the Angels, and yes my Heavenly Father, the grand conversations we will have that I made it.
Application: Like Peter I can have faith that G– will give me peace, deliver me and place me in a community of believers that will embrace and pray for me. Do I recognize that G– is good all the time?
Prayer: Lord, Thank you for giving peace, deliverance and community. Help me to find ways to share that with others who feel hopeless and imprisoned by circumstances. Allow me to be a part of the community that embraces and prays earnestly for others.
