The Pilgrim Path---Acts 12: 6 – 19

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the LORD stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the LORD has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda cane to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the LORD had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

“THE LORD HAS SENT HIS ANGEL AND RESCUED ME…”

---Peter has such faith in the LORD he could rest in prison (even in the face of a death-sentence).

---Peter found out that the ministry of angels could be incredibly personal: “wake up / wrap up / come on.”

---Peter saw that angels do not “mess around” with city gates when they have to “deliver” an individual for the LORD God Almighty.

---Peter came to understand that people’s expectations are no limitation--- upon the LORD’S Holy purposes (verse 11).

---Peter had to tell the Saints of answer to prayer---even IF-- they could NOT believe it at first.

---Peter’s disappearance created no little disturbance among the soldiers…their lives would be required of them for loss of a prisoner. They had made their choice: Friend of the Gospel---or Foe of the Gospel (choices always matter).

---Peter “kept knocking”---so that the Saints could be Blessed! We keep knocking in “Prayer”---so that we---and those we know---may be blessed!

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: The answer came so speedily that they themselves were surprised. It has sometimes been said that their astonishment was the result of unbelief. I doubt that, for their prayer did set Peter free, and therefore it could not have been unbelieving prayer. I trace their surprise to their probable expectation that Peter would be delivered at a different time and manner. And God can send us surprises quite as great as this. We may pray for some sinner, and while we are praying, we may hear him cry, “What must I do to be saved?” We may offer our prayers for the sleeping Church, and while we pray it may be answered.

From Simon Kistemaker: Why did Herod Agrippa set such a close guard on Peter? It is possible that the Sanhedrin had informed him about the earlier arrest of all the apostles, who escaped from prison during the night (Acts 5: 19). Moreover, Peter himself had performed numerous miracles in Jerusalem and elsewhere and, consequently, had demonstrated that he at times possessed supernatural power. Therefore, Herod Agrippa wanted to be absolutely certain that this time Peter could not escape. Herod failed to realize the power of prayer that the entire church wielded on behalf of Peter. That is, through the prayers of his people, God himself intervened and showed Herod Agrippa that his opposition was insignificant and futile. As long as Peter was kept in prison the church offered continuous prayer for him. The text speaks of “fervent prayer,” which signifies that the church prayed ardently and with the heart, soul, and mind implored God for Peter’s release.

HYMN

From every stormy wind that blows,

From every swelling tide of woes,

There is a calm , a sure retreat;

‘Tis found beneath the mercy seat.

There is a place where Jesus sheds

The oil of gladness on our heads,

A place than all besides more sweet;

It is the blood-stained mercy seat.

There is a spot where spirits blend,

Where friend holds fellowship with friend,

Tho’ sundered far; by faith they meet

Around the common mercy seat.

O may my hand forget her skill,

My tongue be silent, cold, and still,

This bounding heart forget to beat,

If I forget the mercy seat.

Hugh Stowell, 1828, 1831

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason