Luke the physician wrote 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 in chapter twelve and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the people in the house told Rhoda, “you are mad” where we read:
And they said unto her, you are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.
Then said they, It is his angel.
The verse begins, “And they said unto her, you are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.” Luke began with the words, “and they said unto her” which means “and the people gathered together in Mary's house uttered, declared and proclaimed to Rhoda”, “you are mad” or “you, Rhoda, are beside yourself and existing as a raving maniac”. “But she constantly affirmed” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Rhoda asserted stoutly and confidently” “that it was even so” or “that Peter was indeed knocking at the door”. Luke shared how the people within “Mary's house” told “Rhoda” she was “crazy”, but “Rhoda” insisted that she heard “Peter” at the door.
The verse goes on to say, “Then said they, It is his angel.” Luke continued with the words, “then said they” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed the people within Mary's home”, “it is his angel” or “the appearance of Peter exists as his messenger or envoy”. Luke shared how the people within “Mary's home” decided that “Rhoda” must have encountered “Peter's” “angel”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people inside “Mary's home” did not believe “Rhoda's” report about “Peter” being at the “door”, and they concluded she was “crazy”. Nonetheless, “Rhoda” insisted that it was indeed “Peter”, and the people in “Mary's home” determined that it must be the “angel” or “ghost” of Peter because they thought he must be dead like James. Though these people were unaware of “Peter's” condition, God was not. He was purposed to continue the spreading of His “gospel” through “Peter”, and we shall see how these people come to understand in our next verses. God loves people, and even when they are unaware of what He is doing, He continues to reach out to them through His Son Jesus to have a personal relationship with Him. When they submit their lives to Him, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and allow them to become a part of His effort to reach everyone who yields themselves to Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “Peter continued knocking”, 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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