1. The sandwich pattern
v. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but those in the church were earnestly praying to God for him. (earnestly= (BDAG) to being persevering, eagerly, fervently, constantly
v. 6-11 how the angel of the Lord saved Peter
v.12 When Peter realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
Praying of the church was definitely the reason why the Lord rescued Peter.
2. How did those who prayed and be responsible for this miracle respond when they saw Peter?
v.13 ...Rhoda was so overjoyed and told those who were inside
15 But they said to her, “You’ve lost your mind!” (NET- Such a response to the miraculous is not unusual in Luke-Acts. See Luke 24:11; Acts 26:25. The term μαίνομαι (mainomai) can have the idea of being “raving mad” or “totally irrational” (BDAG 610 s.v.). It is a strong expression).
v.16b when they opened the door and saw him, they were greatly astonished. (NET-That they were greatly astonished is a common response in Luke-Acts to God’s work (Luke 8:56; Acts 2:7, 12; 8:13; 9:21; 10:45).)
3. The end of Herod
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God kept on increasing and multiplying.
Obviously, the situation in v.1-5 was reversed 180 degree.
Summary: Our prayer made the result changed 180 degree by the intervention of God. Our joy will be unspeakable and mind blogging. God turned the impossible into possible.
The church did not have anything to stop the persecution and execution from the king themselves, but they could turn to the One higher than the king and it worked! He is the One in control.
Reflection: How far is my prayer from earnestly praying? They prayed in the middle of the night until the day before the planned execution. If I were there, would I join this kind of last effort kind of prayer? Or I gave up hope?
Who do I turn to when I feel powerless in front of a great power? Do I believe that God is over them?
Comments