Acts 12:12-19

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³ Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” ¹⁵ “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” ¹⁶ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. ¹⁸ In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

Beyond Understanding

What answered prayer request have you asked God for that you would consider it to be beyond understanding? What thing have you asked God that it is impossible for humans to do or act upon because it’s miraculous in nature?

God’s work has godly standard that only God can do.

Prayer requests uttered disclose on how much idea a person has about God. Most prayer requests are things that humans can conceive or accomplish. Yet, many of the requests that Jesus has granted can only be accomplished by God.

In Luke 12:13-15 is an example of a request that was not granted by the Lord.

¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Sickness that cannot be cured by doctors, lame, blind, demon-possession, dead raised to life, lepers, and many miracles, the Lord had compassion and granted their requests but the simple division of inheritance, Christ denied.

Is it an insult to ask the Lord of lord of things that humans can easily do?

Christ ignores prayer requests of greediness that may promote proud heart. God is more than willing to show His power if it glorifies His name.

1.  Delight

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.  ¹³ Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

Rhoda must have been overwhelmed joyfully that she forgot to open the door. She was very excited to proclaim about God’s answer to their prayers for Peter. The disciples had a prayer meeting at the house of John Mark’s mother. John Mark’s mother might have a big house to accommodate many disciples.

Mark 14:51-52 describes a young man wearing linen garment,

⁵¹ A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, ⁵² he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

This incident was inserted in the Gospel of Mark to recollect his personal experience on that night Jesus was arrested. Interpreters suggest that John Mark belonged to a wealthy family because he did not mind about his linen garment. Linen was a treasure that only rich people can afford in those times.

Going back to the reaction of Rhoda when she heard the voice of Peter, she found it hard to convince the disciples; they cannot believe her. Normally, reports from women in those days were considered gossips. It’s one reason why only a few women were given importance in the Bible.

Paul reminded Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7… ⁷Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

This problem called “old wives’ tales” in the first century is still experienced and observed even in church of this generation. The disciples holding a prayer meeting were very quick to conclude that Rhoda was telling nonsense; perhaps, she might have been a fictional story teller.

¹⁵ “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” ¹⁶ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

The translation “You’re out of your mind,” could also mean that they told Rhoda, “You are demon-possessed, temporarily deranged, unstable mind.” But when they saw Peter, the disciples were astonished; they were shocked.

To be astonished means, “Mind functioned abnormally or momentarily paralyzed.” They cannot comprehend; they can’t figure out God’s answer to their prayer. They prayed for Peter but were shocked on how God answered their prayers.

Lazarus

Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha was sick but Jesus did not heal him. He waited for Lazarus to die before He decided to go and see him. Mary and Martha were hoping for Jesus to come and heal their brother.

John 11:21-24 depicts what Martha had in mind.

 ²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Christ eventually brought Lazarus to life again but why Jesus did need to do that? Why did He not just do simple healing to Lazarus and that’s it; no more anxiety.

In John 11:4 the Lord Jesus said, ⁴ “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

God wants us to see His glory; pray for your needs that only God can do or grant. God wants others to know that God can do impossible thing in human eyes

2.  Disturbance

¹⁸ In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

How could the soldiers not be disturbed; there were 4 squads with 4 soldiers in each squad guarding Peter and they did not know what happened? However they explained their experience, Herod would not believe them for sure. The soldiers must have been very confident that Peter cannot escape. Peter’s hands were chained to two soldiers, left and right. Whenever Peter moves, the chains would make sound; it would wake the soldiers. What else; the gate was locked; soldiers were stationed inside and outside the gate.

God answers prayer for us not to keep it secret; God wants others to know it also. God uses His answers to our prayers to glorify Himself before men.

Your prayer request defines how much you believe in the power of God. Things that are impossible to humans, those things are possible with God.

Vegetable

The word vegetable pertains to plant foods but it is also used to describe a person mentally and physically incapable of conscious response to activity. Vegetable patients have no hope of normal living in a doctor’s eyes.

It is not a secret that there are many vegetable patients who have miraculously recovered; believers would ascribe it to persistent prayers. Impossible to advance science but possible with God!

Believers rejoice, unbelievers disturbed; when God’s answer prayers, it is beyond human knowledge and understanding. Miracles are called miracles because it is beyond human capabilities. Christ constantly amazed both His disciples and His detractors by His miracles.

God’s grace is amazing and that is the eternal feeling waiting for us in heaven. For all eternity, believers will be eternally amazed by God’s eternal surprises.

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