A Miracle in the Midst of Persecution (Acts 12:1-11)
A. Persecution intensifies
1) James became a martyr (1,2)
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. (1,2)
2) Peter's arrest (3,4)
When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. (3,4)
B. Prayers and a miracle
1) Praying in the midst of a hopeless situation (5)
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (5)
2) Peter's release (6-11)
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." (6-11)
Summary
As longs as there are people who are against God, those who choose to follow God will experience persecution and suffering. Many of Jesus' followers have lost their lives in order to spread the Gospel. James was killed, and while Peter's life was spared, he experienced many difficulties in his life. For all human beings, there is an end to life on this earth; our days our in God's hands. Sometimes, the end comes suddenly, but we trust that whenever that is, it is what God deems to be the best for us. Until then, he protects and guides us so that we can live despite our suffering. Let us trust in him and continue to move forward.
For Discussion
1) Why did Herod capture Peter?
2) Why did God spare Peter's life?