Luke the physician wrote how Peter, “was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison”, and in chapter twelve and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how “the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison” where we read:
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
The verse begins, “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison:” Luke began with the words, “and behold” which means “and lo, look and consider”, “the angel of the Lord” or “the messenger or envoy belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “came upon him” which means “arose and approached Peter”, “and a light shined in the prison” or “and an emitting brightness beamed, radiated brilliance and gave illumination within the place where captives are watched”. Luke shared how a spiritual “messenger” from God came into the prison, and a brilliant “light” radiated illumination throughout the room.
The verse continues, “and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” Luke added the words, “and he smote Peter” which means “and the angel or messenger gently struck, knocked and afflicted Jesus' disciple Peter whose name means a little rock or stone” “on the side” or “upon the side of his physical body”, “and raised him up” which means “and aroused and lifted Peter up from his sleep”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Arise up quickly” which means “get up and stand forth briefly, in haste and with speed”. “And his chains fell off from his hands” or “and Peter's binding fetters, bonds or manacles fell to the ground from his physical hands”. Luke shared how the “angel” gently struck “Peter” on the side of his body to awake him, picked him up and told him to stand with speed as the “binding fetters” dropped from “Peter's” hands.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover a “supernatural solution” to a physical problem. “Peter” was sleeping between two Roman guards, in prison and unsure of his personal future, but God was at work to deliver him by His “messenger”. God loves people, and His plan was for all the world to receive the message of His “gospel of salvation” through His Son Jesus. “Peter” was to be preserved for a time, and God's purposes for His life were to be fulfilled. God will receive anyone who comes to Him through His Son Jesus, and when they do, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who consider this “Divine rescue” of “Peter” understand, God intended to spread His “salvation plan” to everyone, and He used this situation to continue His efforts to reach the whole world.
Next time Luke shares how, “the angel said unto him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals”, 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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