Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?ნიმუში

“A Third Arrest”

Persecution was now hitting the church not only from religious leaders but from political leaders as well. James, who had been part of Jesus’s inner circle of disciples along with Peter and John, was killed. While he was not the first martyr, he was the first of the 12 apostles to be put to death. The news would have rocked the church and been personally tragic for Peter as well.

Shortly after James’s death, Peter was arrested too. This arrest wasn’t like the others he had faced so far. This one was meant to lead to his death. Imagine him sitting in prison, chained to a guard on either side, with more guards at the gate. There are no recorded insights into his thoughts or feelings. Was he grieving James and preparing for his own death? Maybe he spoke to his guards about Jesus. Perhaps he was thinking of his family and the ministry he would leave behind. Surely he was comforted and probably even excited by the thought of seeing Jesus again. Maybe it was all of the above. Given the growth we have seen in Peter’s character since Jesus’s arrest, it seems likely he was facing the dawn with strength and faith.

But God’s mission for Peter on earth wasn’t finished. He still had work to accomplish as a leader in the church, which is why God sent an angel to miraculously guide Peter out of prison for the second time in his life. Interestingly, though they were praying earnestly for him, the church was amazed when he appeared at the door during their prayer meeting!

Why was Peter saved and not James? Peter might have asked himself the same question, possibly even in reverse: Why did James get to go home to Jesus and not me? We cannot always know the mind of God. We do know that James’s death and Peter’s arrest did not deter Peter from his mission. He decided to leave Jerusalem and keep a low profile for a while, but he wasn’t finished spreading the news of Jesus and strengthening the church.

Reflection:

How would you react if you found yourself in Peter’s position in prison?

Have you ever been surprised by an answer to prayer?