Peter Kept on Knocking

Scripture – Acts 12:16-19: ¹⁶But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. ¹⁸In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. ¹⁹After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while.

Reflection: – I wonder what Peter thought about this. He’d been miraculously freed from prison. It looks like he was a little nervous about being spotted. So he came to a place he thought was safe, and they wouldn’t let him in. How did he feel standing outside that door?

I wonder, as well, what it was like in the prison that morning. “No small commotion” seems an understatement. Seeing how Herod treated the guards, I imagine they were terrified to find that empty cell.

Given all that, I must admit I don’t see any striking lesson here. The Lord had more plans for Peter. And certainly the faith of the other disciples would have been strengthened.

What about you? Do you see something more here? What lesson or application do you find?