Year 1, Day 245: Acts 12

Persecution

I can’t read Acts 12 without thinking about Matthew 20:20-28.  Jesus tells James, John, and their mother that they will drink the same cup as Jesus.  In truth, we know that all the true disciples of Jesus will drink that cup.  All true disciples will face persecution for their faith.  All true disciples will risk things like security, job, livelihood, and things like this.  If we are living in the world – which we are – and we find ourselves not finding some difficulty among the world, then we must not truly be living in Christ!  On this point the Gospels are united in voice.  Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:17, and John 15:18 all attest to the world’s hatred of those who follow Christ – and Christ Himself, of course!

Now, I am not saying that we should go out and prove how much we love God by making a stench of ourselves so much so that the world loathes us.  Honey catches more flies than vinegar.  But neither should we be so in line with the world that they can see no difference between us and themselves.

James and the Value of Life

On the other hand, James had become such a stench among the people that they rejoiced when Herod had him killed.  Since Herod’s popularity increased, he wanted to do it again and get even more effect!  So he has Peter arrested and slated for execution.  What does this show us?  Well, the world is inherently entrenched in their self-mongerism.  From the world’s perspective, what is a person’s life compared to Herod’s popularity, right? 

The Christian should value life over their personal gain.  But the world doesn’t see it that way.  The world thinks of itself first, not the other.  Herod cares only for his popularity because his popularity is directly tied to the amount of time that he will be able to live in the lap of luxury and govern the land.  It’s all about him.  The decision to kill James and Peter is rooted in a personal vendetta against the disciples; it is rooted in Herod’s concern for living a comfortable life.  Welcome to what the world has to sell you.

Herod

For the record, we get a great glimpse of this at the end of the chapter.  Herod got what he wanted.  To gain his approval, the people praised Herod and elevated him to the level of being divine.  Herod’s ego was boosted tremendously!  And because Herod was more concerned about himself than giving the glory where it belonged, God struck him down.  Self-mongerism always leads to death.  It is the story of Eden, and it is the story of all humanity.  Only those who cast aside themselves and humble themselves before God can escape that eternal fate.

Results of James’ Death

Before we turn to Peter’s miraculous escape, let’s look to a part of the story of which words are seldom spoken.  When Judas died and was removed from the ranks of the Apostles, he was replaced.  The reason that he was replaced was because the focus of the mission was still to the Jews.  The number 12 was significant. 

However, as we progress in Acts we are now transitioning to the evangelism of the Gentiles.  No longer is there a need to find a replacement for James among the Apostles.  What do the Gentiles care about how many apostles there are?  In reality this is a small point.  But in the scope of the mission transitioning to the Gentiles this point is huge.  As the Holy Spirit leads to the inclusion of the Gentiles, human tradition is far less significant than evangelism and ministry and the proclamation of the Word. 

Don’t get me wrong, though.  Clearly the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles are important – we even find references to them in our own Bible as late as the Revelation of John.  I’m not saying these concepts should be cast aside and trodden over.  Yet while the tribes and original Apostles remain important, the emphasis is no longer on keeping those traditions alive and active.  They can be valued as significant, but not necessarily maintained.

Peter’s Escape

Now let’s talk about Peter’s escape.  First, notice that the angel only wakes Peter up.  The angel doesn’t do anything else except to bring Peter out of his slumber.  In order for Peter to find escape he has to be willing to do something as a part of the plan.  God doesn’t transport him out of prison; God asks Peter to participate in the plan.  So it is with us.  God could make the stones around us proclaim His glory.  But instead He invites us into His plan.  But we must be willing to be a part of it.

Second, notice that the angel tells Peter to put on sandals and gird up his loins.  No doubt that this is practical advice and no doubt that the night was cool – as most nights tend to be.  However, I think this is spiritual advice as well.  To put on one’s sandals implied that he had to put a knee to the ground.  For Peter to escape, he must begin in a position of humbleness.

When Peter does escape – and gets left standing outside by Rhoda – we hear about what the disciples in Jerusalem at Mary’s house had been doing: praying.  It’s what Christians should be doing together.  It causes me to ask – is it typically what you or I do together at Christian functions?  How much time do we really spend praying?  Or do we say a quick prayer to appease God and then move on with the business (or fellowship) at hand?  I think it says a lot about the early followers that they got together and prayed.  Sure, Peter’s arrest was a special purpose, but they gathered in prayer to do it in the first place.  They took that duty seriously.

James, The Brother of Our Lord

I’ll make one final comment.  Notice that when Peter is brought in – and he is shown to be really present – he instructs James to be told.  Of course, this is not James the Apostle, the brother of John, for he is the one who died at Herod’s hand!  This is James, the brother of Jesus.  By this time we can see that James has risen in power and has taken a place of authority in the church. 

History tells us this is true, so I’m not arguing that it happened.  Rather, I am setting us up to realize that this is the same brother who came with the rest of his brothers to Jesus’ side to bring Jesus home because they thought Jesus was crazy.  Jesus couldn’t convince them He was the Messiah while He was alive.  It was only His death and subsequent resurrection that finally got James’ attention.  So it is with us.  Jesus’ teaching is marvelous.  His life was outstanding.  But it is His death and resurrection that really get our attention!  It is His death and resurrection that make us who we are.

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