You might think that politicians have become corrupt and pandering in our time, but this passage assures us that there have been politicians like that since the beginning.
It makes my skin crawl to read that Herod killed James and imprisoned Peter simply to please the crowd. No good leader could ever consider unnecessarily harming one person to gain favor with others. But let’s not forget that Herod had help. He wasn’t a Christian, so the devil had access to his thoughts and actions. In the beginning and ending of this chapter examples are given of his hubris and arrogance. Herod Agrippa is a good example of what not
to be like.
The good news in this chapter is obvious. God is able to deliver his servants, regardless of what the ruling authorities try to do to stop Him. Chains and guards mean nothing to God, He moves on human events and cannot be resisted. The amazing part is that the angel took time to wake Peter up, tell him to get dressed, and then walked….gate by gate…out of the garrison. He could have immediately transported him to any home in Jerusalem, but chose instead to teach Peter the power of God. For instance, the heavy iron main gate opened before them without assistance. Peter is being shown that God can do all things, and that Herod Agrippa isn’t more powerful than Jesus. I think the message came through loud and clear.
We don’t want to leave this passage without noting where Peter went when he got out, or what they were doing there. At the time Peter was imprisoned and released, there was a prayer meeting going on. Into the late hours of the night, God’s servants were praying for Peter. I wonder if that’s why he was released? I’m sure that’s why he was prompted to go there in the first place. The people needed to see that God answers prayer. I’ll bet the prayer meeting turned into a praise and worship service when they finally let Peter in. I also note that even though they were praying, they didn’t believe it when Peter appeared on their doorstep. God is able to do more than we can imagine or dream, so it shouldn’t be a surprise when He answers in a way that surprises even the ones who are asking!
The last sentence caught me off guard… I had skipped over the idea that Saul and Barnabus were traveling from Antioch (Syria) to Jerusalem with a large sum of money. (chapter 11). It appears that they stayed and instructed the church there for about a year, and then returned “home” to Antioch. Barnabus spent far more time with Saul than I had realized. They had spent years together in ministry. That makes it harder to think about how they will split up and go separate ways later.
This chapter teaches me that God is in charge, no matter what the situation. He has a place for each of us to be, and we are expected to minister while in that place. When the time is right, we will be moved to somewhere else, where our mission will remain the same.
I find myself singing “Jailbreak” in my head this AM…….. Jailbreak by Vertical Church Band
Enjoying the journey,
PR