Friday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 12
16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.
16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.
Commentary:
12:17 James here is the brother of Jesus (see Introduction to James: Author and Title; Gal. 1:19), not James the brother of John (who was killed by Herod, Acts 12:2). From this point forward in Acts, James seems to have the most prominent leadership role among the apostles in Jerusalem (see 15:13–21; 21:18). Though James was not one of the original Twelve, he apparently became an apostle as well (cf. 1 Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19; 2:9). The book of James also seems to be written on his own (apostolic) authority, not as a spokesman for someone else (see James 1:1). For some reason Peter no longer remained the leader and spokesman for the apostles in Jerusalem but went to another place. Luke does not specify where Peter went (some have suggested either Rome or Antioch); he was back in Jerusalem later for a conference (Acts 15:7–21).
12:18–19 In executing the sentries (i.e., guards), Herod was following Roman practice, which specified that soldiers who lost their prisoners were subject to the same penalty as that due to the prisoners. Since the soldiers knew that their lives were at stake, they certainly would not have all fallen asleep apart from the miraculous intervention of the angel who rescued Peter. Caesarea was the seat of the Roman government and had a mixed Jewish and Gentile population (see note on 8:40).
12:18–19 In executing the sentries (i.e., guards), Herod was following Roman practice, which specified that soldiers who lost their prisoners were subject to the same penalty as that due to the prisoners. Since the soldiers knew that their lives were at stake, they certainly would not have all fallen asleep apart from the miraculous intervention of the angel who rescued Peter. Caesarea was the seat of the Roman government and had a mixed Jewish and Gentile population (see note on 8:40).
Questions:
- Clayton's second takeaway from Sunday was that God is sovereign in PRAYER. In chapter 12, the believers are praying hard for Peter, and when he shows up, miraculously released from prison, they certainly were not expecting it. God answered their prayers for Peter in spite of their lack of faith! The word of faith movement that is running rampant in todays Christian circles says that if you have enough faith, you can claim whatever you want in Jesus' name and you will have it. God has chosen to invite us to cooperate with what He is going to do through prayer. Sometimes God gives us what we ask for in prayer, but He is always transforming our hearts and desires through prayer. Regardless, God Himself is the purpose of prayer, not our desired outcome. Prayer is not necessarily a means to and end, it is the end. Communication and closeness with God is the goal of prayer. Is this how you view prayer? If God Himself were truly the purpose of your prayers, how might your prayer life change?
- Finally, God is sovereign in RESOLUTION. Clayton shared this quote from Thomas Schreiner: “During this present age the church is persecuted, but God will ultimately judge the persecutors. The account doesn’t teach that judgment will necessarily come quickly on the wicked in this life. The Lord doesn’t always strike evil rulers dead in their prime. Instead, the historical story should also be read parabolically, which means that those who persecute God’s people will eventually and certainly face judgment.” We want justice to happen NOW! But Scripture tells us it is coming. We have to trust that God is sovereign in his justice. Is there a situation in your life where you want to demand justice or defend yourself? What would happen if you simply prayed and trusted God to handle things in His way and in His timing?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would pursue God in prayer.
- That you would learn to trust Him in His sovereignty.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
No Comments