The physician wrote Luke how Peter, “was kept in prison”, and after an angel led him out, “Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, you are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel”, and in chapter twelve and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Peter continued knocking” where we read:
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
The verse begins, “But Peter continued knocking:” Luke began with the words, “But Peter” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Peter whose name means a little rock or stone who was a disciple of Jesus” “continued knocking” or “remained, kept on and persisted in rapping upon the door”. Luke shared how “Peter” kept “rapping” upon the door to Mary's home.
The verse continues, “and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” Luke added the words, “and when they had opened the door” which means “and at the time and moment the people within Mary's home opened up the entryway to the house”, “and saw him” or “and observed, noticed and beheld Peter”, “they were astonished” which means “the people in Mary's home were displaced, thrown into wonderment and amazed”. Luke shared how the people within “Mary's home” went to the door, opened it, and were amazed when they saw that it was actually “Peter” who was there.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” was persistent in “knocking” upon “Mary's” door, and finally the people within her home answered the door. When they opened the door, they were in shock because it was actually “Peter” standing before them. God answered these people's prayer, and they were “astonished” because He did. God is in the miracle working business, and He performs these deeds according to His own “Divine will”. God was purposed to reach the world with His “good news of salvation” through His Son Jesus, and the rescue of “Peter” and these people were a part of that plan. We shall see how God continues to reach out to people so they will be “saved” from their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise will carefully consider this story about “Peter” and the people within “Mary's home” and surrender themselves to the One who is willing to “save” everyone who yields to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Peter beckons the people in the house to, “hold their peace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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