Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Acts chapter 12:1-5:
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Acts chapter 12:1-5:
V1: We learn of further persecution of the believers in Judea, instigated by King Herod. This is Herod Agrippa 1, the nephew of the Herod who murdered John the Baptist and consented to the death of Christ. He was characteristic of the whole corrupt Herodian line.
V2: He has James, the brother of John, put to the sword – the first of the Apostles to die for his faith. Is this part of the Lord’s foretelling of how the sons of Zebedee would share in His sufferings? ( Mark 10:39.)
V3-4: When Herod sees this pleases the Jews, he has Peter arrested too. ( He was always trying to win the favour/support of the people, who actually despised his family, who were not Jews at all, puppet Kings under Rome, and of course notoriously cruel and corrupt.) The reference to ” the days of unleavened bread” – the whole period around the Passover – explains why ( humanly) he did not have Peter executed at once, so as not to offend Jewish ” scruples” ( which the Jewish leaders themselves had over-ridden in the trial and death of Jesus.)
V5: So, Peter is kept in prison, perhaps expecting his own death, but knowing he is in God’s hand. Meanwhile, the church are in earnest prayer for him. Why should James be put to death and Peter not? We can only bow to the Sovereign will of God, who still has work for Peter to do, but has taken James home to Himself. Let us all realise, our times are in His hand.