“When Peter came to himself, he said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’”
- Acts 12:11
I remember reading a story about the Titanic a few years ago. At the time of its sail, it was the largest ship, and to think of most of it being made of steel is amazing! It was a great feat of engineering and could have been sailing for decades. Before setting sail though, the captain proclaimed, “God Himself could not sink this ship.”
Similarly, mankind united to build a tower to the heavens, claiming it would be able to reach God and be greater than God. So God put a halt to their self-righteous efforts by creating every language to divide the prideful.
I believe there is nothing wrong with great and creative efforts to use our minds and hands to build. I also believe God wants our unity. However, above both, God is deserving of glory. The problem with the Titanic story is that man was claiming to outdo God. In the tower of Babel story, the man was attempting to outdo God. Not that God can be outdone but these men were no longer looking to God as their Creator and Father but as someone to best. They no longer depended on God but sought to be better than God.
Acts 12:
This chapter of Acts gives us a two-part story about giving Glory to God. It has one success story and one Titanic story.
At the beginning of the chapter, the scene is set for the two big name’s: Peter and Herod. We all know who Peter is, but Herod is harder to pin down since there are like a dozen Herods at this time. All that matters is that Herod is a “king” in Jerusalem, but more often vacations at Caesarea Maritima, a beautiful Roman city built in Judea along the Mediterranean sea.
Herod is under Rome’s sword, while various Jewish sects are trying to rebel against Rome’s rule, and there are all these things happening with Jesus and His followers. Herod is also self-interested and trying to maintain his money and power. Not very different than most politicians throughout history.
In Herod’s attempt to appease the Jews under him, and thus keep peace with Rome above him, he has James, one of the sons of thunder, killed and Peter arrested. Nothing says peace like murder and persecution, but that is the world’s “justice.”
This is where the narrative splits, we’ll get back to Herod, but for now, Peter is in prison for a couple of days under constant watch while the church in Jerusalem is praying insistently for Peter. Peter has guards in his cell, right outside his cell, and guarding any other gateway involved.
One night at this heavily guarded prison, an angel of God spontaneously appears in Peter’s cell. The guards are asleep, and the angel unshackles Peter, awaking him, has him get dressed, and leads him right out of that prison. Not a soul notices any of this.
When Peter comes to his senses, realizing that it was not just a vision, or a dream gives the Glory and praise to God for rescuing him from his inevitable death the next day. Peter would go on to share the Gospel across Roman lands, lead the church, and later be crucified upside down in Rome.
But something amazing happened to Peter by the hand of God and Peter responds appropriately, giving the Glory to God.
This is where the narrative goes back to Herod, who hears about Peter's disappearance and has the guards “responsible” put to death. Which is hardly the worse thing Herod will do in these final days of his.
Judea was a food provider to some of the surrounding countries that could not produce enough of their food, this included Tyre and Sidon. In a purely political move, Herod makes a speech that worked out a good deal between Judea, Tyre, and Sidon, and it made everyone happy. Perhaps he spoke with honey lips, and chords like a choir. Whatever it was that he did, the people proclaimed that he spoke with the voice of god!
A good Jewish king would never accept such praise and would redirect the Glory to God, but Herod was far from good. He accepted their praise and did not give the Glory to God for how Herod was wired to speak and make “good” political decisions. So immediately an angel of God struck him ill and he was eaten by worms.
Two parts of one story of giving Glory to God. In one part a faithful individual gives God the credit that is due and more, but in the other part, an influential person keeps the credit and gives no praise or thanks to God.
Final Blessing:
Our sinful natures make us naturally self-centered and desiring the praise and glory for whatever we did. But we must become humble and ensure whatever praise comes our way is directed into the praise of God. God is our Creator, as Christians, He has given us His Spirit to gift us for ministry. We must see ourselves accurately, as mere vessels for God, and God as a being deserving of all worship, for even the rocks will worship our Lord!
So take some time and worship our Lord!
Glorious Christ by Sovereign Grace Music
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breathe, and every heartbeat of your journey!
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