About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
Acts 12:1-5
Approximately one year after Jesus was crucified, Herod, the Tetrarch, who ruled in Judea, became violent with some Jerusalem church members. He had James, John’s brother, killed by the sword. This pleased the religious leaders in Jerusalem and encouraged Herod to continue his persecution of the people of the Way. Luke gives the time of the year this took place helping the reader to date when these events occurred. So, Herod had Peter arrested and thrown into prison with more guards around his prison than any other criminal ever had. Herod’s intent was to bring Peter before the people after the Passover celebrations and, quite possibly, to execute Peter. But, our Sovereign God had other plans for Peter, as we will see in another devotional. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem church members earnestly prayed for Peter that he would be saved from the evil king Herod. Christians, around the world today, face the same evil that tried to ravage the Jerusalem church then. There is nothing new under the sun, as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes writes. Though Christians in the USA may not currently face such treatment, we have brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of this evil world who need our prayers for their safety and well-being. May we pray continually for them as they love their neighbor and their enemies to bring to them the gospel and salvation in Christ Jesus.
Source: S C Ball June 27, 2023
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