Together Yet Alone
The focus of today's lesson is the Apostle John and the tragedy he experienced.
Acts 12:1-10 ~ It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
James and Peter were John's world. John was close to both of these men. We see several instances where these three had seen and heard what the other apostles did not. They are present at the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead [Luke 8:51]. They were present at the transfiguration of Jesus [Luke 9]. They were sent to prepare the place for the last supper [Like 22:8]. They were present with Jesus while He prayed in the garden [Matthew 26]. They had seen the empty tomb [ John 20].
James was beheaded. Peter was miraculously let out of prison. This may have led to a conflict for John. He may have asked himself, why was my brother killed and Peter freed?
In Beth Moore's study, she says - "I think he came to the startling realization that we are each on our own before God. Every life is separate and distinct."
If we have repented and put our trust in Jesus for salvation, than we are members of His body. We each have a role and function in that body. However, it is before our own master that we stand or fall [Romans 14:4]. Barnes' Notes on the Bible states - The servant is responsible to his master only. So it is with the Christian in regards to God.
Know today, that it is before Jesus that we stand or fall. But remember, too, that our Master is able to make us stand [Romans 14:4].
Acts 12:1-10 ~ It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
James and Peter were John's world. John was close to both of these men. We see several instances where these three had seen and heard what the other apostles did not. They are present at the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead [Luke 8:51]. They were present at the transfiguration of Jesus [Luke 9]. They were sent to prepare the place for the last supper [Like 22:8]. They were present with Jesus while He prayed in the garden [Matthew 26]. They had seen the empty tomb [ John 20].
James was beheaded. Peter was miraculously let out of prison. This may have led to a conflict for John. He may have asked himself, why was my brother killed and Peter freed?
In Beth Moore's study, she says - "I think he came to the startling realization that we are each on our own before God. Every life is separate and distinct."
If we have repented and put our trust in Jesus for salvation, than we are members of His body. We each have a role and function in that body. However, it is before our own master that we stand or fall [Romans 14:4]. Barnes' Notes on the Bible states - The servant is responsible to his master only. So it is with the Christian in regards to God.
Know today, that it is before Jesus that we stand or fall. But remember, too, that our Master is able to make us stand [Romans 14:4].
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