This passage is one of the hinge-points in the Book of Acts.
A troubling time of persecution has begun. The king has taken James’
life and, seeing how it has pleased the people of the city, he has Peter arrested.
Peter is in prison. The strong implication is that Peter will have his life
taken as well. Prayer is such a crucial part of the Book of Acts. The second
chapter opens in a meeting where undoubtedly prayer was a major component.
The followers of Christ offered prayer for both wisdom and boldness often.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for
him. Verse five seems to be a hinge in the story. Indeed Peter was in prison,
but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Again, in the Book of
Acts we see both in the recording of a particular event; Peter is in prison,
yet there is prayer being offered up for him and his present situation.
Luke wants us to know that prayer is a privilege and a holy
obligation for the church. He desires that we realize the real danger that
Peter was in, yet the church was in prayer. Prayer does not ignore the reality
of the situation, but rather acknowledges a God who is greater than our present
circumstances.
Throughout the Book of Acts we find several cases of the church
being called to prayer in response to a difficult event. When they were told
to no longer preach or teach in Jesus name, they prayed for boldness. It seemed
not to enter into their minds that they should acquiesce to the command of
the officials, but that they must remain faithful to the call of God on their
lives.
As we listen to the text, we must hear it communicate in our
day that not everything works out according to our plans. The disciples find
themselves in situations that they would not have chosen for themselves. This
passage has a movement about it that is striking, from the opening persecution
of the church, through Peter’s imprisonment, the churches praying, the
miraculous answer to prayer, and to the spiritual leaders’ lack of believing
that their prayer had been answered. As we look at the text we clearly see
exposed some of the same tendencies in our own lives.
At the beginning of chapter twelve we see the hard, cold reality
of persecution. James, the brother of Jesus, has been martyred. Perhaps we
can include some information about present-day men and women who have been
martyred for their faith. We need to remind the congregation that there are
indeed difficult times in the lives of the faithful. This serves as a transition
point that needs to be developed: prayer is not mere wishful thinking or an
exercise in making ourselves feel better; it is acknowledging that there is
a problem, and it is real. But beyond our reality there is a God who is interested
in us and cares about what happens in our lives. Prayer must always be grounded
in reality. It is not biblical prayer that ignores reality and seeks to create
its own definition of reality. Prayer is very practical. Peter is in prison,
and that is the reality. If the pattern that has been established by the King
continues, he is going to die. Out of this situation we find the last half
of verse five . . . but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Verse
five indicates that the church is offering prayer, and it is both a good and
powerful thing.
Try to understand the reactions of the people in the house when
Peter arrives at the door. Have we not all been surprised by grace? Why are
we surprised by grace? These and other questions will need to be addressed
as you preach from this passage.
In the Psalms, the author on several occasions asks God to hear
his prayer. There is something in the human heart that wants to know that
God is listening and that He is interested in and cares for us. The text reminds
us that prayer to God is both meaningful and powerful. One is left to wonder
what it is that allows Peter to sleep so soundly in prison. The tendency is
to worry and fret. The text is reminding us that when we are in painful calamities,
we must leave the results with God. There is always the reminder in the biblical
text that we must discern God’s responsibility and our responsibility.
The church is to pray, and we leave the results in God’s hands. There
are several places in this passage where we must engage in a clear and balanced
understanding of prayer. Prayer is communicating with God. And as with all
good communication, the communicating goes both directions.
This passage does remind us that bad things do happen to God’s
people. James was martyred. Even in the face of tremendous difficulties, prayer
is always the first option for believers. Please note that verse five states
that the church was praying. The power of praying in community is to be emphasized
when preaching from this passage.
Remembering that God does not always work according to our plans
and timetables is also addressed in this passage. Do we expect God to answer
prayer, as well as the proper place for expectations, may be addressed as
one contemplates preaching from this passage.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachermagazine.org and click on “Sermons”)
This sermon has, by the nature of the passage, an encouraging
dynamic. Peter is in trouble, and the outcome in the human realm is one that
does not look very good. Yet the church is praying to God for him, and that
makes all of the difference. These verses start with a specific problem, and
a serious problem at that. People in the congregation who are going through
difficulties will be listening to see if there is hope in Christ. One of the
areas of hope and grace is a praying church.
The Book of Acts is entitled the Acts of the Apostles. Our story in chapter twelve again highlights that the book is really about the acts of the Holy Spirit. God is doing great things on behalf of the church. God still cares about His people. He wants us to know that we are in His care.
