Old Testament: Leviticus 16 & 17
Poetry: Psalm 39
New Testament: Acts 12
You know that feeling when things are going so well that you question if you’re dreaming? Maybe you ask someone nearby to pinch you or maybe you pinch yourself. Either way, this is the feeling I imagine Peter had the night before Herod was going to bring Peter to trial. I’d encourage you to listen to Acts 12. As you listen, visualize what this could have looked like. Go ahead and use a little bit of imagination, as we’re not given pictures to accompany the stories in the Bible. If I’m being honest, I sometimes forget that the Bible is a literary text, but this chapter allows me to pick out some details and things that make me consider the (historical) story, and smile.
I’ll mention a couple parts that I really like about this chapter, but other parts might jump out at you.
v. 7 – Peter must’ve been a heavy sleeper! First the angel appeared, with a light. That didn’t wake Peter, so the angel struck (or smote) him. A gentle, “Hey Peter, time to wake up” with a rub on the shoulder didn’t cut it…
v. 9 – Peter didn’t know what was happening. He thought it was a vision. I like how he follows the angel’s instructions though. I think this is a good example for us to follow. Even when we may be a little confused about what God wants us to do, we should still obey and follow through with whatever it is.
v. 11 – “Now I know without a doubt”. I like how confident Peter is at this point. Before he thought it could be a vision. Now he knows that this is real life, and this is all part of God’s plan.
v.14-16 – I understand Rhoda was excited, but it makes me giggle how she didn’t even open the door for Peter. She was so excited that Peter had to keep knocking! 🙂
I like this chapter a lot. I will be working at being confident while following God’s plan for me and I will work at being as excited as Rhoda about what God is doing in my (and others’) lives!
-Moriah Railton
(reposted from SeekGrowLove – May 15, 2021)
Reflection Questions
- What do we learn about the early church in Acts 12? In what ways would you like your church to follow the example of the early church more?
- What do we learn about Peter in Acts 12? How do you think he could have been sleeping (chained between two guards) on the night before he would be brought to trial before Herod who had recently had James killed.
- What do we learn about Herod in Acts 12? What was the reason for his death? When have you been guilty of the same attitude?
- What do we learn about God in Acts 12 – remembering how Peter was saved and He handled Herod…but also, remembering that James was not saved. What is your response to God when He saves and when He crushes the wicked and when He doesn’t save the righteous?
Seek Grow Love 