I read through Acts 12 with ease, making the mental notes that the apostle James was killed, Peter was imprisoned and then was supernaturally freed by an angel, and then King Herod dies as a result of his egotistical decisions. Pretty straight forward, right?
But then I realized how I just read through this chapter with such nonchalance as if on the daily I witness my fellow Christian brothers and sisters being murdered, angelic prison breaks taking place, and God striking down authoritative figures for denying the Lord His glory due...
Yes, that does cause me to chew on Acts 12 a moment longer.
I had already been drawn to the event of Peter’s arrival—post-divine jailbreak—to a house full of his fellow believers and how it resembled the arrival of Jesus—post-Resurrection—to a house full of his disciples. But, in my second phase of meditating on this chapter, what moved me this time was indeed the divine jailbreak. Verse 6 provides details that emphasize the high level security in place to ensure Peter’s captivity (it honestly reminds me of Ocean’s Eleven-esque plot in which they lay out the various obstacles of security they have to think through to reach the vault of high-rolling dollars or jewelry they’re trying to obtain): in his prison cell, he is bound by two chains, monitored by two guards who have positioned themselves literally on either side of him—even while he is sleeping—outside the cell stand multiple guards, in addition to the normal prison security. In describing the escape, verse 10 just further highlights the magnitude of this deliverance for Peter as he not only makes it past all of these containments, but furthermore passes the city gates. It is all so unbelievable that the Spirit-filled believers who Peter immediately visits can’t even wrap their minds around it; so impossible that they were willing to believe it would be Peter’s “angel” before it would actually be Peter in the flesh (v12-17).
As I thought on this, I just heard the Lord say, “Don’t you see that I will accomplish what I want to happen?” It does appear to exhibit how unstoppable God is, how supreme His will and sovereignty is.
But now, to take this a step further, let’s backtrack to the first few verses of this chapter: James, another great apostle, was murdered. After thinking about how God did the impossible to rescue Peter, I realize that God could have done the impossible to rescue James. But, He didn’t. From another vantage point, this too exhibits the supremacy of God’s will and sovereignty, but perhaps in a way that is more difficult to accept. Here you have two members of Jesus’ three-man inner circle with very different stories at this moment in time of their Christian walks.
Now, let’s compare and contrast from our own human thought-process: was James’ outcome less significant than Peter’s because it didn’t consist of miracles and God’s deliverance that Peter’s embodied? In reality, no one ever makes this comparison because they are honestly impressed with James’ devotion to his belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, all the way to his death. But then does that make Peter’s less significant, since up to this moment his life was spared and he could continue on in this earthly life for the time being? Do you think Peter doubted his impact as a Christian? Do you think he worried that he wasn’t doing enough or suffering enough in order to have a valid service to the Lord? Of course not.
So, what do we have? Two very different outcomes of serving the Lord in which were uncontrollable by either of these men, but was left to the will and sovereignty of the Lord. Two very different stories that both brought glory to Jesus Christ and ultimately glory to God. Glory to God the Father. Glory to God the Son.
These two diverse examples of Christian lives remind me of the diverse callings and orchestrations that God has placed on each life of His sons and daughters. To some, He gives more obvious grace while on this side of heaven. But that is not something to be ashamed of. Because grace always magnifies God’s power and ability to do the impossible. To some, it is a tougher and apparently more difficult path to walk. But that is not something to doubt God’s goodness and ability to do the impossible. Look at the life and death of Jesus. It was God’s will not to spare Him, yet what happened after Jesus’ death is what God used as the greatest deliverance of mankind to date—on top of resurrecting Jesus. So, who are we to judge what God does or does not do by not sparing or “blessing” as abundantly the path of some?
Furthermore, in reading this passage I am convicted of my own tendency to look around at the impact of my nearby Christian brothers’ and sisters’ call—what they are doing in the Lord’s name and how He is blessing them or causing them to suffer—in order to validate or discount the success of my service for the Lord. And in understanding this lesson, I am reminded that when we are truly walking with the Lord, He is the only one who will truly be able to validate or discount how we are carrying out His plan in our lives.
Hebrews 12:1 comes to mind: “Let us throw aside every sin that ensnare so that we may run with endurance the race marked out for us." The race marked out for us. I don’t believe we are each given the same route. God has marked out your route for you. God has marked out my route for me. Saul’s armor did not equip David to defeat Goliath. Someone else’s armor is not going to equip you for the calling God has given you. “But let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Find security in the truth that your walk with the Lord, what you accomplish or do not accomplish, what you suffer or do not suffer, what you are given or what you lack, it is just right for what God has called you to and how He wants to use you for the glory of His kingdom. Not only that, but also so He can help you understand fully how much He loves you. It is why in Acts 12 James was willing to be killed; it is why Peter was content to be imprisoned and also risk facing death: they understood to a high degree how much God had proven His love for them through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It might not go how we would expect, let alone desire. But that is why we must constantly do our best to acknowledge the supremacy of God's will and sovereignty, and consequently, submit to it.
Walk securely on the path God has laid before you. Trust the equipment He has given you is sufficient for carrying out your call. Rejoice in the amount of grace He has given you, because any amount of grace is worth celebrating. Be thankful He has chosen you. Be thankful you are His child. Be thankful that He has proven His love for you and yet continues to show you in new ways how He loves you. Trust that He is good even in the suffering, because He is. Lean into the truth of the Gospel. Lean into the Holy Spirit. Keep running your race with your eyes fixed on Jesus. And consequently, those around you will be marveling at the glory of God and the power of the Gospel.
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