We learn many times as we read he scriptures that history tends to repeat itself.
There are countless times where similar circumstances tend to happen. Often times prophetically. Many times simply as a sign that we as human beings haven't changed. We make the same haphazard choices over and again. Sometimes histoy repeats itself as a way to remind us of what did before and that He still wants to work in our lives. How many times have the disciples and apostles cheated death so far? many have not. Many have given their lives so far in belief and trust for the Gospel. And, God has used a great many of these people to further the work of spreading the Good News.
Peter, as we will see, has met the fate that John and himself have met before. Locked away.
This time with much protection and guard so as to prevent any escape or interference of any kind. I was reminded just a few days ago of the brilliant ending to the now cult classic The Shawshank Redemption. Imagine being one of the guards or the prison warden and not finding the prisoner where they should have been when morning came. Unlike Andy Dufrene's well planned and timed escape, God moves in a mysterious way to simply free Peter from his shackles and walk him right out of the prison and back to waitng group of followers who are fearing the worst will happen. James, the brother of John, one half of the "Sons of Thunder" is taken by this current King Herod and executed. Most likely, this is done as a sign to produce fear in the body of believers and an ill fated attempt to silence them. Take a well known disciple and apostle and put him to death. "That'll teach 'em". Little does Herod know, God has great things in mind for this group of rag-tag followers who have given all they have to push the message of Jesus out to the people who need to hear it most. Lets look in our where we are today in Acts 12.
"Keep a knocking but you can't come in" are the famous lyrics from Little Richard that come to mind when hearing how Peter is wearing his knuckles out on that wooden door. Most likely, Peter is remembering the words of his Messiah.
"Knock and the door will be open to you". The horrible and awful events of the past week surrounding the events of Charlie Kirk would leave any of less than eager to put ourselves in the shoes of the one we are analyzing and speaking about. James, the brother of John, has his life taken from him as a way to show power and dominance. Peter is spared. Oh, to be in the shoes of Peter! Many of us have no idea what it means to be persecuted in such dreadful and pretentious ways by those who would exert their own control over people. Jesus felt it, as he walked about. It cost him his life. He knew it would happen. Jesus told this group of disciples that the world would do the same to them. And. it has begun. James was the first. When does return he mentions to the group to send word to
James. (Jesus had a biological brother named James, the same who would pen the letter with his name late in the New Testament.) Why is it so important that they hear the story of what happened? Many of us think -fear and tragedy- when we retell items from our past or some horrible event. Peter only sees one message here. God has done great things! For many of us hurting over the death of Charlie Kirk this past week, the same words are true. God has done great things! Charlie spent his life speaking with other people and giving them a chance to make contact so that they could hear a life changing premise. Jesus loves them and wants to change their lives. For no other reason than that.
His tory does tend to repeat itself. For the people in this first century word, they have seen and heard plenty from Herod and his family. Joseph and Mary would run into the family patriarch in the opening years of their life together. Herod's sons would come into power through time and while Jesus walked among the people. Now, in Acts were see a 2nd generation as the original Herod's grandson is now in power in the land. Since this great country began, we have seen families and groups come to forefront again and again, every so many years it seems we get a recycling of persons and premises that rail their angry voices and remind us that evil is still present. It was a calming presence to see that people were praying after the life of Charlie Kirk had been taken. When tragedy had struck previously in our nation, it was anger and hurt that led the way with voices and faces that led into rioting and burning places down. Peter's emphasis to go and tell other what has happened is a simple way of saying "Trust in the Lord". We have choice. Trust God to walk with us and lead us. -Or- take matters into our own hands and stir up the anger and bitterness in others as we fight and engage in harshness.
Sometimes our words will be interpreted as harshness. We are speaking to and about sin. We are going right to heart of the problem when we present Jesus. People need to repent of their sin and let Jesus in. And, a good many don't want to hear that. People want to be told they can do whatever they want and live however they want. Simply won't work. That is not the life Jesus offers. We leave our sins and this old life behind. We walk away into new life with Jesus surround in forgiveness and mercy and love. Get ready. A good many want what we have to offer. Some do not and will not. Lets the chips fall where they will.
We have work to do.
We have a Savior to share.
We have a field that needs planted.
We have other fields that need harvested.
Will you pull up a chair, sit down and talk with other about this Savior how forgave you?
The world is waiting.
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