Lessons for life from the Bible – Day 4

God works directly and indirectly through people, at all levels of society, to restore his creation. Yesterday we saw how a decision by Queen Vashti positively influenced the fate of the Jewish people. Today we look at the role of Rhoda in the fledgling Christian church.

Rhoda was a servant girl in the service of Mary, the mother of John Mark. The early church met at Mary’s home in Jerusalem for worship services.

The church was experiencing a wave of persecution. James, brother of John, had been executed by Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great. Seeing how popular that made him with the Jews, he decided to put Peter on trial too. He had Peter imprisoned and assigned sixteen soldiers to guard him. Four soldiers for each six-hour shift. Two to be in the cell with him and two outside Peter’s cell door.

During the night, an angel of the Lord miraculously rescued Peter and led him out of the prison. Once back on the street, Peter made his way to Mary’s house.

Inside the house, a large number of worshippers were praying with the disciples for Peter’s well-being. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Rhoda went to answer it. To her astonishment and joy, she recognised Peter’s voice. She rushed back to tell the others. In her excitement, she did not open the door. They did not believe Rhoda. “You mad,” they said, “it must be his angel!” She insisted it was Peter. Peter continued to knock. They opened the door and realised that Rhoda was right. (Acts 12:13-16)

Rhoda did not have to see Peter to recognise him. She heard his voice and believed it was him. When the risen Lord talks to us, we have to react in the same way. Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed.” (John 20:4)

If you have not done so, the time to claim that blessing is now.