Jesus called, equip, and sent Simon the fisherman to “go and make disciples” along with the rest of those who followed Jesus devoutly for three years while learning and watching the Master daily. Jesus poured His life into followers who loved him back with all their hearts, minds, and souls. But it was Simon Peter who stood up to firmly declare Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Peter who watched Jesus be thrown to the wolves of unbelief, and who denied him three times himself so he could stay close to Jesus to see what would happen to him, is now in jail for doing what Jesus told him to do—build his church of believers by preaching what Jesus has done for all people—forgive them of all their sins. Peter has grown in his faith and followership from denying to proclaiming Jesus without fear.
Peter is not perfect but is perfectly forgiven. We remember the time Jesus took Peter aside to reinstate him after his denials and disobedience to teach him how to love Him back by feeding God’s lambs and sheep who were precious to The Lamb of God. (John 21:15-18) This is what matters most to God. Do what matters most, Peter, says Jesus, three times for emphatic emphasis! So, Peter does.
We also remember that Jesus called Simon to be Peter, the Rock, unmoved by circumstances, a strong foundation upon which to build His church as the Holy Spirit gathers all believers.
“My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. “And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.” –Jesus, Matthew 16:17-19, MSG
Did Jesus know Peter would be thrown in jail, shackled to two guards, for doing what Jesus called him to be and do? Absolutely!
Did Peter know this what not the end? Is that why he slept like a baby in peaceful slumber? Probably! Because Jesus is…
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Acts 12, The Message
Peter Under Heavy Guard
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.
5 All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously.
6 Then 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!
7-9 Suddenly 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.
10-11 Past 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.”
12-14 Still 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.
15-16 But 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.
16-17 Finally 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.
18-19 At daybreak the jail was in an uproar. “Where is Peter? What’s happened to Peter?” When Herod sent for him and they could neither produce him nor explain why not, he ordered their execution: “Off with their heads!” Fed up with Judea and Jews, he went for a vacation to Caesarea.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
And the church prayed in unity for his safe release! But when it happened…
Dr. Luke includes a humous, (and so human), antidote of the church’s unbelief of God actually answering their prayers while they are praying! A servant girl is the only one who hears Peter knocking. Peter knows the danger of being seen in the street! She is the first to believe but is so excited she leaves him waiting outside! The others stop their praying and cannot believe God has answered. “You’re crazy” the tell the poor girl. Fortunately, the girl stuck to her story. Peter comes in and the crowd goes wild!
We read this and think how silly their reaction was, but we do the same! We pray, wait, watch and then when God answers in His timing in His way, we are surprised and in awe! “Wait, what?!” “How can this be, that is so amazing!” “I can’t believe it!” Instead, a more appropriate response is, “Thank you, God, we know that was You!” As humans, we are often too hung up on the details. How did this happen? What did you do to make this happen? We seem compelled at times to explain miracles when we would be better off to relax, be still, and trust the Miracle Worker with thanksgiving and praise!
God is obviously not finished with Peter yet. They both know it. Peter slips out of town to continue the work. Herod is so confused he goes on vacation—often a more human response from unbelief and the frustration of living on the “dark side.” God is not finished with Herod, either…there’s more about hm tomorrow.
We learn that when we pray—God works, He is always at work. When we pray in Jesus Name, we pray with power that is beyond humans. The same power that raised Jesus from death to life is available to us when we call on His Name.
Prayer to God, in Jesus Name, holds His church together with one heart, one mind for God’s purpose—so others will know and believe Jesus—our One Lord. Rejoicing in unity is so sweet and pleasing to God, our Father! This is what makes God smile!
Know this and internalize: God sees our life from beginning to end. He may lead us through a storm at age 30 so we can endure a hurricane at age 60. God is not finished with us until we see Jesus face to face in all His glory!
Be a Rhoda who runs to answer the knocking door in faith; coupled with the excitement to tell others about what Jesus has done. And don’t forget to let people in who are the answer to your prayers! (Smiling.)
As a result of our faith, relatives may give us a hard time or friends might write us off as crazy. Remember that we are following Jesus’ footsteps. Pray for the joy that overcomes troubles, given by God, that is “unspeakable and full of glory.” God delivers.
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” 1 Peter 1:8, NLT
Lord,
Thank you for delivering me from sin and self, from overthinking, trying to explain the unexplainable. Thank you for your joy and peace that comes from a cleansed heart, transformed mind and refreshed soul by you in me and me in you—trusting who you are and what you say.
In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are…
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 