Closed Study

This week's reading is fairly short being only one chapter, but there is so much going on here that it's a very important portion of scripture. The first thing we are told is that Herod becomes bold and kills James, the brother of John. Now, in verse three we see that the Jews were pleased by James' death. This gives us a good picture that not much has changed in the societal structure since the crucifixion of Jesus. The Jews apparently still oppose the idea that Jesus is the Messiah because they are happy about one of His disciples being killed.

In verse four it's explained that when Herod sees that the Jews are pleased with the killing of James that he then takes Peter prisoner and locks him away behind a quaternion of soldiers (a quaternion being nothing more than a group of four). It would seem like Peter may also be killed but what happens shows us that the power of prayer by the church can change any circumstance because we are told that the church prayed to God without ceasing for Peter. In response, God sends an angel to break Peter out of prison even though there are four soldiers present at the time. Peter was even bound with two chains but the angel makes quick work of them as we're told the chains simply fall off. So the angel leads Peter out of the city and then leaves him. What a testimony to what the church could do if we would pray more. There's a reason Paul tells us to pray without ceasing! (1 Thess 5:17)

The next portion of scripture is actually pretty funny when you consider it. Peter arrives at the place where some of the disciples are staying, and being night (I think) the door is locked so Peter knocks on the door. Now the funny thing is that the scripture tells us that when the girl, Rhoda, hears that it's Peter at the door, she gets so excited that she runs off to tell the others, but she leaves Peter standing outside! I find that very comical and I love that God tells us this. My earthly father used to have a portrait of Jesus on his wall and in the portrait Jesus is laughing and smiling. I loved that portrait because it shows a side of Jesus that you rarely are shown. Normally He is always portrayed as so solemn and serious. When I read this portion of the scripture and I think of Jesus reaction to Peter being left outside while Rhoda quickly runs off, it makes me think of that portrait hanging in my dad's basement and how Jesus must have laughed at the sight of it.

So Peter tells the others how God got him out of the prison, and the next thing the scriptures tell us is that Herod takes Peter's escape out on the soldiers by having them killed. So in one small chapter, Herod has killed five people and likely meant to kill Peter as well. But now we see that God is a just God. At the height of Herod's popularity, God strikes him down because he didn't deny what the people were saying about him, that he was a God. So Herod is removed from power, and as the next verse tells us, "...the word of God grew and multiplied" (Acts 12:24).

I think the lesson here is that no matter the earthly circumstances, God's word will always continue to grow and multiply. What a reassuring message of hope and faith.