Pastors Moment: The New Testament mentions an interesting character in Acts 12: 13-17. Her name is Rhoda, she catches my eye because she is mentioned along side a story I know too well, yet I must admit I just knew about her. According to The Story of Rhoda, an article published by the compelling Guide book Drama for Sunday School Teachers, Peter was thrown into prison for preaching. This time Herod was on a killing spree. He had already killed James (the brother of John) and was probably going to kill Peter. But the church came together and prayed. God sent an angel to Peter in prison. He was chained between two soldiers. The angel whacked Peter on the side, told him to get up, put on his clothes and tie his shoes well. Then the angel led the unbound Peter right out the front door of the prison. When they got into the city the angel left Peter standing alone dumbfounded. He finally figured out what was going on and found the house of John Mark’s mother where he expected to find friends praying for him. Peter knocked on the door and Rhoda, teenage girl, went to answer it. When she heard it was Peter (whom they had been praying for to be released from prison), she got so excited and left him standing outside to tell everyone that their prayers had been answered. She didn’t think to unlock the door and let him in. Because she did not let him in, and maybe because they didn’t really believe their prayers would be answered, the people told Rhoda that it was probably the ghost of Peter. He continued to knock until others came and let him into the house. He excitedly told the story of how the angel had released him from prison. Peter then left from Jerusalem to Caesarea to stay a while. Shortly thereafter God killed Herod for accepting praise as if he were God. Well, I have lifted this story word for word from the guide book, Rhoda is not mentioned anywhere else in the bible. My lessons from the story is simple. God is very interesting. He unlocks Peter from Prison, where he is guarded by two soldiers. But allows him to be locked out by an excited teenager and this time round he lets the lock stay. As people prayed and declined to believe Rhoda the teenager, Peter was staring at a closed door. The Bible however adds an interesting detail, she was a servant, could that be the reason why they did not listen to her and dismissed her saying, You are out of your mind? Make it a habit to pay attention to all people who come to you with certain news, they could be life changing messages. Do not look at their status in life, listen to the weight of their message and if need be check out the authenticity of their content not looks or status in life. By the way Bad Cheques are usually issues by the high and mighty, never by those you consider lowly and below your level or status. Rhoda, as I said is not mentioned again the bible, but she exists in our lives that are so full of ourselves that we do not believe direct testimony of even what we are praying for. Rhodas message as recorded in verse 13 and 14 was simple, Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” Peter is at the door, if you do not believe Rhoda, go and check it out but do not dismiss Rhoda. Have a week full of Faith. God Bless You and Keep You.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:04:12 +0000
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