Acts 12

During the same time frame as Saul and Barnabas in Antioch, we are told of Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod the Great was not so great, and we're about to meet his offspring.

Emperor Claudius added Judea and Samaria to his kingdom. Herod ruled Palestine. This king was not a devout Jew, he only observed the ceremonies and customs--a people-pleaser. He was only hostile to Christianity because it affected the Jewish community.

How often do we meet people who observe Christmas, just for the party of the money they can make off of it? Do you dare to share the true reason for Christmas with these?

Herod made James the son of Zebedee and brother of John the first martyr who was an Apostle. This is the only apostle's death recorded in the New Testament besides Judas. The rest where prophesied. When he saw that it pleased the Jewish community, he had Peter seized. Sixteen soldiers kept watch over Peter. They were divided into four watches: two outside the prison door, two inside with Peter chained to them.

The church prayed without ceasing.

Herod intended to bring Peter forward for execution after Passover, but not before. He had to respect the Jewish customs to the letter.

In verses 7 and 8 we see that Peter wasn't awakened by the bright light of the angel...he had to be prodded awake! He was totally relaxed. He wasn't worried. He had total trust in God whether it meant execution or deliverance. He was told to dress...so he wasn't rushed out of there either. And the soldiers sleep through it all.

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night and you were sleeping so deeply you forget where you are? Peter is in a daze and follows the instruction. I wonder if he realized what was going on, would he have been more nervous? It was only outside the prison gate that he was sure it wasn't a dream. He goes to the house of Mary, the Mother of Mark who was also related to Barnabas. He seemed to know exactly who would receive him at 3am.

Rhoda was in charge of the door that late at night...she was young an impulsive it seemed. Instead of opening the door after hearing Peter's voice, she runs inside to the prayer session. Rather than go to the door they figure it is Peter's guardian angel, mimicking his voice. When they finally open the door they are overjoyed to see him standing there.

What do you do when prayer is answered? Do you thank God? Do you give credit where it's due?

Again they reported what they saw to James, Jesus' brother, the one who wrote the book of James. It seems he was pastor at Jerusalem's church. The people had to be warned, Herod might come looking for Peter.

The soldiers slept through it all. They were tried and executed for their dereliction of duty. Karen made a point that Herod wanted this to be snuffed out--witnesses and all--before word got around about this miracle. For Herod, it was all about him. And this would take away from his spotlight.

Herod leaves for Ceasarea to conduct games in honor of Emperor Claudius. When the heat is on, people leave the area. They'll go shopping, hit the beach, go to Disney...anything to take their minds off of worry.

Some also believe Herod was there to speak at the games to discredit the ambassadors of Tyre and Sidon. There was some sort of trade problem going on.

So what does Herod do at these games that were to honor Emperor Claudius? He comes out in robes made of silver, in the sunshine, and makes a great speech. He makes it all about him. And the people give him what he wants...praise, adoration, god status. And an angel of the Lord struck him with an illness.

Isn't it interesting...Peter was struck by an angel and was awakened from a deep sleep. Herod was stuck by an angel and died.

Josephus confirms the illness and says Herod lingered for five days in agony. A present-day physician did a report of Herod's death and concluded it was "chronic kidney disease, complicated by a particularly nasty case of gangrene." (Bijal P. Trivedi, National Geographic Today, January 28, 2002)

We must keep in mind a verse from Galatians 6:7: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

Where is your heart today? Have you made it all about you? Is that working for you, or are you getting eaten alive by pride? Time to get your heart checked!

Barnabas and Saul return from Jerusalem and like a good writer, Luke "hooks" us to read the next chapter: The era of Gentile Missions. Mark joins them as an associate.