Stirring Up Trouble!

Acts 12:1- Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. NKJV

We’re familiar with the Sons of Thunder, James and John. After all, they were two of Jesus’ favorite disciples. When Peter was mending his nets, James and John were there, and Jesus told them to cast off into the deep. James and John were also there when Jesus was transfigured on the Mount of Transfiguration. And, James and John were at the scene when Peter’s mother-in-law was healed of her fever. But did you know that James was the first member of the apostles to be martyred?

In Acts 12, we see that Herod has stretched out his hand against the church:

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

Acts 12:1 NKJV

Herod, or King Agrippa I, was king at the time. It is said that he was the “most dangerous and potentially lethal human oppressor of the church (Kenner, Acts, p. 1864). We see this in Acts when he stretches his hand against the apostles.

Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 

Acts 12:2 NKJV

Just like that, he kills an apostle. James had seen the Lord perform miracles, witnessed his crucifixion and resurrection, been filled with the Holy Spirit, and was dead. We’re told in scripture that he was killed with the sword, which is supposed to have been a merciful killing. We are told historically, that he was decapitated. But he is dead!

And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Acts 12:3 NKJV

Then, because Herod saw that he had pleased the Jewish people, he took Peter.

So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Acts 12:4 NKJV

During the Feast, he took Peter and placed him in jail. His rationale for doing so was that he was to present Peter to the Jewish people after the Passover. But he didn’t count on the church getting together to pray.

The Bible states that constant prayer was offered up for Peter. Night and day people were gathered together with one mind and on one accord to pray. They probably prayed for Herod, for the release of Peter, and for divine intervention. Whatever they prayed, they did pray.

And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

Acts 12:6 NKJV

And Peter slept! Isn’t that interesting? Political unrest is happening. The king is wielding his authority and having people killed. Peter’s been arrested and delivered to four squads of soldiers for his imprisonment. And, the Bible states that Peter was asleep in the midst of all of this. It appears that the lessons that Peter was supposed to learn, he finally had gotten.

But God had a plan.

 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands

Acts 12:7 NKJV

An Angel. God sent an angel to Peter in the middle of the night. The angel struck Peter on the side and told him to get up quickly. Then his chains fell off. Peter thought he was seeing a vision. He didn’t realize that what was happening to him was real. God sent an angel to rescue him from jail and he couldn’t believe it!

The angel told Peter to grab his shoes and clothes and put them on. He took him past the first set of guards, and then the second set of guards. He took him through the city and to gates, which open on their own. And, he took him down the streets. Then the angel disappeared. Poof! And he was gone.

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Acts 12:11 NKJV

Then Peter came to himself, or to the realization that he wasn’t dreaming or having a vision. He was actually free! God had delivered him from Herod and from the expectation of the Jewish people. So Peter went to the home of John Mark, where they were praying.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.

Acts 12: 13-14 NKJV

Peter knocked at the door of the gate and Rhoda came to answer it. When she heard his voice on the other side of the gate, the Bible says that because of her gladness, she didn’t open it. She was so thrilled that the prayers had been answered that she left the answer to their prayers on the street!

But the people reacted to her statement in amazement. Actually, they didn’t believe her.

But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

Acts 12:15 NKJV

They thought she was going crazy, or she had seen his angel. They were praying constantly for God to answer their prayers. They were praying constantly for Peter, but when he was delivered, they didn’t believe it. It makes you wonder what kind of praying they were doing.

But Peter kept knocking. He was trying desperately to get their attention.

Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 

Acts 12:16 NKJV

And you know what happened. They were astonished! I thought they were having a prayer meeting for God to divinely intervene on Peter’s behalf? Yet, they didn’t believe that God would do it! What about us? Do we pray for God to do something for us yet without belief? Do we pray and seek God’s face, and yet doubt that He can move? I hope not!

Peter spoke to the disciples and then told them to tell James, the brother of Jesus, and the other brethren what happened to him. But back at the jail, heads are rolling!

Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

Acts 12:18-18 NKJV

Imagine Herod’s surprise the next morning when he sent for Peter. The guards had looked everywhere and couldn’t find him. Then Herod had them to look everywhere, and he still couldn’t be found. Herod questioned them about what had happened. How could they lose him, where was he at? But they couldn’t give him an answer, because God had delivered Peter out of their hands. So Herod did the only thing he could do, he had them put to death! Then he left town!

I tell you, if God doesn’t know how to stir up trouble, then who does? As I look at the political situation that we face today, I thank God for Jesus! I thank God that He is in control and has more than one way of saving us. I thank God that He is God and look to Him for strength and encouragement. I thank God for being able to stir up trouble for our enemies while delivering us out of all kinds of situations! Thank God for Jesus! Wonderful Jesus!