Peter was rescued from prison and delivered from tight security. He had been chained between two guards while two more watched the prison. (Acts 12:6)
Why was Peter imprisoned? He was not a thief, nor a murderer. He was not involved with overthrowing Herod in Jerusalem or Rome’s domination. Peter was a follower of Christ Jesus, a preacher of the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. Peter could not be found by Herod’s finest soldiers. How did he escape? The guards had no clue.
Herod was probably livid… he interrogated the four squads of guards, there are four soldiers in a squad. Imagine with me that interrogation: How did Peter escape? Were the soldiers sleeping? Perhaps they were playing cards or throwing dice, were they “paid” to look the other way?
How mystified those guards must have been. They had been true to their posted duty… they had no clue how Peter was rescued… and they paid with their lives.
Herod ordered their execution. Then Herod left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea and spent some time there. (Acts 12:19)
Did Herod believe in the living Lord Jesus? Did he worship the Lord God?
Why had Herod killed James? Politics… it pleased the Jews in Jerusalem. So he promptly imprisoned Peter… and now Peter was gone, vanished into thin air, or so it seemed.
Let us be a true witness of forgiveness and God’s redeeming love to anyone who would imprison us, terrorize us, or persecute us. For we have God in us and with us… even in prison.
Remember to put on the full armor God provides so you will stand firm in the face of opposition.
God’s truth
God’s righteousness
God’s gospel of peace
God’s shield (faith in Him)
God’s helmet (of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ)
Prayer ~ (wherever and whenever needed) Ephesians 6:10-18
~ Take it to heart ~
How has the Lord Jesus rescued and delivered you from “prison”?
Have you said, “thank You” to the Lord for delivering you from whatever imprisons you?