“He was running hard, bullets embedding in things all around him” (The Camel Club by David Baldacci).  “At first, no one noticed the four horsemen as they emerged out of the darkness of Central Park ” (The Last Templar, by Raymond Khoury).

 “Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, in order to mistreat them” (Acts 12:1, God).  There is nothing like a touch of mystery violence: one man is killed with a sword, another faces death - to get the juices flowing in a “who done it.”  Except in this Acts 12 story we know “who done it” from the beginning.   It wasn’t the butler.  It was a king.  King Herod, who thinks he has the last word.

            The “where and when” of Acts 12 are also important.   These events are taking place in Jerusalem , at Passover / Easter.  This would be between 7 to 11 years after the events of Christ’s experience during Passover leading to His betrayal, crucifixion, death and resurrection.  However, we are left with a few questions and holes in our current story line.  Let’s get back to the first line of our spell binding story.

            The “Herod the king” is Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great.  Herod the Great is the one who attempted to put Jesus to death at the time of His birth.  As far as we know, not a single member of the Herod family ever turned to God.  This current Herod has James, John’s brother, killed by the sword.  The very next sentence we learn that Herod also has the Apostle Peter arrested.  Herod plans to have him killed as well. 

Why is Peter spared and not James?  Good question. One that has been asked down through the ages.  After all, Peter, along with James and John - was part of Jesus’ inner circle.  It was James’ mother who asked Jesus to allow her two sons – John and James – be seated on either side of Him at His throne during His reign (Matt 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-40).  After Jesus told them they did not have a clue what they were asking of Him, Jesus then asked them if they were able to drink the cup that He was about to drink.  They assured Jesus they were able.  Jesus told them:  “You will indeed drink my cup.”   But that cup turns out to be different for each.  James is the first of the 12 disciples to die (other than Judas of course who committed suicide after betraying Jesus).  James’ ministry for Christ and his life are cut short by the swift and sharp edge of a sword.  John seems to be the last disciple to die, and him of old age, after a life of evangelizing the world for Jesus Christ. 

            So James is executed.  Peter is in jail – with high expectation of his own demise.  Herod has him under heavy guard.  No doubt Herod suspects someone will try to get him out.   There is a bad history of keeping Jesus’ disciples in jail.  

Now across town from the jail, the church is meeting.  The church is meeting in the home of Mary – the mother of John Mark.  Apparently this Mary is a woman of some means for her home is large enough for the growing church to meet there.   This means, all the Apostles and other followers of Jesus are here in Mary’s home.  They all gather to support one another.    James is dead.  Peter is in prison. They are gathered together in hiding – fearful that Herod will send guards for them as well.  Perhaps they are remembering back several years to the turmoil in the city and in the hearts of the many of those right there when Christ was wrongly accused, tried and killed.   It is truly more than misery loves company.  They gather to pray because they know they should.   They believe – as we do – that strength and peace are gained by being together….and calling on God’s name.    We did that after 9/11.  Along with the nation we are doing that after the tragic event in Virginia this week.  That is why we have prayer as part of our worship services.  That is why we have the prayer list and the prayer chain, which can be activated at a moment’s notice.  That is why we have the Monday Morning Prayer Ministry.   So the church is gathered and they are praying – diligently, and without ceasing for Peter’s release from prison.  Awe, are they praying with expectation that Peter’s release will actually take place? 

There is a story about a drought in the mid-west, Kansas .  All the pastors of the stricken area decided to get together and pray for rain.  One of the pastors – the Presbyterian one of course, said to the group after they all sat down: I don’t know if I can stay and pray with you all.  It doesn’t seem that you believe that our prayer will be answered.”  The others, confused, all chimed in and said, “Oh but we do believe our prayers will be answered, that’s the reason we came.”  The Presbyterian pastor said, “I don’t think so.  Where are your umbrellas?”   Was the church then, is the church now – praying as though prayers will be answered?  Are umbrellas brought to prayer meetings?

            And what about Peter?  Peter does not seem to suffer from insomnia….he fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane , the night Jesus asked all the disciples to go with Him to pray – before He was betrayed.   Peter also fell asleep on the roof top before Cornelius’ people came to him.  He sleeps now in prison.  He is bound with two chains, between two soldiers and two additional soldiers outside the door.  He is apparently quite at peace with himself, with his surroundings and with God.   He sleeps soundly. 

            Then the Angel of the Lord appears.  Even with what I personally would think as obvious Angelic light shining in the Prison cell, Peter does not awaken.  The angel taps Peter on the side to wake him.  Was that a friendly nudge or push with the angelic foot?   Then Peter has to be all but dressed by the Angel.  Without alarm the Angel gives Peter direction:  “Get up.”  That’s when the chains fall off.  And then – “Fasten your belt.  Put on your sandals, Man.   Wrap your cloak around.”   “Follow me!”  It is only outside, away from the guards, when Peter comes fully awake and “gets with it.”  He finally shakes off the last bit of sleep and the dream-like feeling.  He is apparently no longer in danger.  The angel leaves Peter to continue on his own.  Yet, Peter is immediately aware that it was an angel of the Lord that was sent to deliver him from Prison.  Peter knows in every fiber of his being that the prayers of the church are definitely and divinely answered.  God has delivered him.   And Peter acknowledges this.  He gives God the glory!

Now remember?  Peter is the disciple who denied Jesus – not once, but three times!  So again the question:  Why spare Peter and not James?  We do not know… except for the sovereign will of God moving in His church.  God still moves this same way in the church of today.  He still reaches in and takes certain members out of the church by death.  And there are others whom He leaves.  Why?  Sometimes we just want to say, “Listen here God, why did You take anyone?  What’s wrong with You?”  And still we need to remember this is God’s universe.   This is God’s church.  Not ours.

            Meanwhile back at Mary’s house the church – the people are still meeting and …prayers continue without ceasing….until Peter arrives at the outer gate and knocks to be allowed to enter.  The servant girl, Rhoda comes to answer.  She is overjoyed with the reality hearing Peter’s voice; of Peter standing just outside at the gate.  She is so overjoyed – she leaves Peter out there. 

            Peter knocks.  Rhoda asks “Who’s there?”  She never opens the door.  In all fairness, she is probably under orders NOT to open the door.    There are ongoing persecutions of Jesus believers!  James has just been killed.  Peter “in prison.”  No Jesus believer worth their salt would “just open” that door.   But Peter, miraculously sprung from prison and a convict on the run – does not just stand there twiddling his thumbs and whistling.  No, not Peter.  Peter continues knocking on that door!

            Rhoda runs to the others – who are still praying.  I hear her saying something like:  “You are not going to believe this – but your prayers have been answered.  And at this very moment Peter stands at the gate.”  Well, they don’t believe her.  They accuse Rhoda of being out of her mind, that she has heard Peter’s spirit or his guardian angel … because they think Peter has been killed by Herod?   They do not believe Rhoda.  This is just like when the disciples did not believe the women who told them that Jesus’ grave was empty and that He is risen.  They said the women were wrong then…that Jesus was not alive.  They were wrong.  He is risen.  They are wrong this time as well.  Peter is not dead.  He knockd on their door.

            Why don’t the believers believe their own prayers?  How many times do you and I believe in our heart-felt prayers and yet are surprised when they are answered?  Do we lack faith? Do we not pray long enough or hard enough?  Do we forget to bring our umbrellas.  Or is it that we are us and God is God?  We rejoice and even talk about it – surprised that god hears our prayers.  Surprised that He answers our prayers.  Surprised how gracious and loving God is!  Surprised by God?  We do need to pray like we truly believe God hears our prayers – because He does!  We need to pray as though He will answer – because He will and does.  We need to give God the recognition and glory and the thanks and the praise – without the surprise – when He answers.

            And you know, just like God hears and answers our prayers – He also expects us to use our common sense.  It is like putting feet – or action – to our prayers.  That is why Peter – once allowed to get into the house – shares his “Angelic prison break” story with the gathered church.  He gives God the credit and the glory.  He spends time with these devoted believers.  

He also wants those present to tell all these happenings to James – that would be the brother of Jesus.  At this point James becomes the new leader of the church, as we will later see in Acts 15.  It is good to note that Christ’s brother James became a believer in the Christ only after Jesus’ death and resurrection.  It is after all this, Peter leaves town.  By Acts 15, Peter is in Antioch and Syria , doing ministry and preaching Jesus Christ.   Certainly God could have kept Peter safe right there in Jerusalem .  After all He did get him out of the heavily guarded prison.  However, Peter was not, and we are not to tempt God!  God gives each of us common sense – some to a greater or lesser extent.  We are to use that common sense!

            As you might imagine, and as scripture tells us – back in the prison – all the guards who had been assigned to Peter detail – have been put to death – by Herod – for “letting” Peter escape.  Herod is cold-blooded.  He is hard hearted. By executing the guards he says to the world that he does not believe Peter’s escape is an act of God.  He holds his men responsible.  He kills them.  Then – Herod leaves town.  He goes to a resort area on the Mediterranean – the town of Caesarea .        

From the horrible murder of James, to the frightening imprisonment of Peter, to his liberation, to the comic scene at Mary’s house, to the murderous rage of Herod, Luke takes us to a concluding episode which marks the end of Herod.  The story in verses 20-23 is Luke’s version of a tradition found also written by the historian Josephus (Antiquities, 19:8:2).      Josephus’ account is quite colorful.  The sun’s reflection from Herod’s silver armor elicits the crowd’s acclamation. We are told his bright armor makes him LOOK like a god.  In the book of Acts, Herod makes a speech that makes him SOUND like a god.  But, who cares what Herod says?  The effect of the speech is what concerns Luke.  We already know Herod is pompous; lifted up by his own self-important vanity. 

The poor, starving, oppressed people of Tyre and Sidon , who are under the assumption that flattery will get you anywhere and anything, cheer on Herod as the best speaker they have ever heard – even better than a god. They hope that with their flattery the king will shower them with food.   Herod drinks it all in.  “Yes, I am rather god-like, aren’t I?!” 

            The response from God to such silly presumption on the part of kings is swift.  Unlike Peter who gives God the glory, Herod refuses to glorify God through the miracle of Peter’s escape.  He kills the innocent guards.  Now Herod is willing to let the people deify him!  God is not happy.  God does not share His glory with anyone.  God lowers judgment on him.  Herod becomes a king-sized meal for worms.  God is not nice to those who try to be God.  Hitler perished huddled in a bunker in Berlin .  Mussolini was hung upside down.  No, God is not happy.  And then Luke tells us the glorious news:  “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (vs 24).  Herod has made his speech and is now silent.  But the Lord’s speech continues to explode into the world, multiplying, spreading, overtaking the world once held within the tight fist of the tyrant.  God, not kings will have the last word.