Scripture Notes: Peter in Prison (Acts 12)

Danger surrounded the early Church in the early 40s AD. James, son of Zebedee, brother of John, one of the Sons of Thunder, was martyred about 42 or 43 AD by the order of King Herod Agrippa (grandson of Herod the Great, who tried to kill the infant Jesus). Seeing that the Jews were quite pleased with James’ death, Herod set his sights on Peter next.

Peter, who was just as unwilling as James to denounce his faith in Jesus, soon found himself in prison, chained up, forced to sleep between two guards, and awaiting a “trial” that would mostly like lead to his death. Except that was not God’s plan.

It was the middle of the night, and Peter was sound asleep when someone poked him. Imagine his surprise when he woke up, rubbed his eyes, and saw an angel standing before him. He actually thought he must be seeing some kind of vision, but when the angel told him to get up and get dressed, he obeyed at once, revealing his docility and humility. He did not have to understand; he simply had to follow. And follow he did. The angel let him out of the cell, out of the prison, as the gates opened by themselves, and down the street. 

Then the angel disappeared, leaving Peter to realize that this whole thing really was real. His heart must have been filled with awe and gratitude at what God had just done for him. He hurried to share the news with his fellow Christians, likely keeping to the shadows, but when he got to the house, the maid, Rhoda, opened the door but was so shocked and excited to see Peter that she slammed the door in his face and hurried off to tell the others. Peter probably chuckled as the embarrassed maid finally let him in. He briefly rejoiced with his companions and then headed back out, unwilling to imperil the Church and mindful of his own danger, especially when the guards woke up in the morning to notice Peter gone. 

Scripture Notes: St. Peter’s Call (Luke 5

Imagine Peter, sitting in his boat cleaning and mending his fishing nets as he listens to Jesus teach the crowds gathered along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowds are intent, and they push closer and closer, threatening to force Jesus right into the water. Jesus climbs into Peter’s boat and asks him to put out a little way from shore. Is Peter slightly annoyed, even for a moment? He has been working all night, after all, and he must be tired. But he complies with Jesus’ request without complaint. He does have a strong reason for gratitude, for just the night before Jesus had healed his own mother-in-law of a fever.

Jesus teaches the crowds for a while longer and then dismisses them. Then, turning to Peter, He says, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter probably does a double take. They just came in from fishing not long before, and they had caught absolutely nothing all night long. He is likely bordering on exhaustion by now, and he probably just wants to go home and sleep. Yet something in him responds to Jesus’ command. “Master,” he replies, “we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets.”

A short time later, Peter is gaping and tugging, for his nets are full of fish. He has to call his partners, James and John, in the other boat to come and help, and both boats are threatening to sink under the weight of all those fish. Peter is astounded. His humble and trusting obedience (although perhaps also somewhat reluctant) has opened the door for a miracle. He knows full well those fish were not in this part of the lake just a little while ago. Yet here they are swamping the boats.

Peter cannot help but be overwhelmed, and more than a little frightened. He falls at Jesus’ knees and gasps, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Peter understands that he is not worthy of this miracle. In this moment of immense grace and divine abundance, he sees his sins in sharp relief. Jesus, probably with a smile, responds to Peter with great love and with a call: “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.”

What fills Peter’s heart at this moment? Awe? Love? Courage? Determination? Enthusiasm? Grace? All of the above? In response, he drops everything, leaves everything behind, and follows Jesus, embracing his new mission and beginning his journey from fisherman to fisher of men.