Naked and Unafraid

 I am reading through the book of Acts in the New Living Translation.  This book used to seem boring to me!  That's crazy talk.  Chapter 12 was on the docket today and I almost find it hilarious.  Usually it is the end of this chapter that draws me in when Peter comes to the door and Mary doesn't believe it is Peter.. but let's back up....


At the beginning of 12, James, the brother of John is killed and apparently Peter is going to be next so the nasty King Agrippa puts him in jail.  The church is praying for Peter to be released.  When  reading verses 6 to 11 I thought to myself, "I don't want to sleep like a baby.  I want to sleep like Peter!!"  Or maybe rather it is the peace of Peter that is something to be sought after.  Here are my thoughts.

1) He was asleep... between two guards.  (And naked or close to it.. I'll get to that in a minute.).  Perhaps the soldiers were bantering back and forth also.  So chained, maybe naked.. and unafraid.  Yet peace filled enough to be asleep. (12:6)

2) The bright light of the angel fills the room.  .... and Peter is still sleeping!  So that angel smacks him on the side.   The verse says, "The angel struck him on the side to awaken him..."  King James uses the word "smote".  And the Strongs concordance has the definition of the word patassó to mean "to beat (of the heart), to strike and the usage to be, "I smite, strike (as with a sword), smite to death, afflict.  So there's Peter so sound asleep that the angel has to basically smote him awake.   If an angel showed up how loud would he have to be to get my attention?  Hmm....

3) In verse 8 the angel instructs Peter to "get dressed". But after that says "put on your coat."  So that's where the naked or almost naked comes from in my thought process.  We hear about prison in our country and how bad it is but we have no idea what it was back in Biblical days and NOW in other countries such as Afghanistan or elsewhere for Christians that are captured.  We should be praying fervently for their release and for them to have the peace of Peter (which by definition is the peace of Christ), while they wait for that release.  


And we should expect and their release.. except the believer's don't.  I'll write that in an separate post.


Lord, we lift up all those in prison for You today.  This is a reality for many.  We pray for boldness and courage.  For peace.  For transformation of those that are holding them captive.  And we pray for their release in Jesus name. Amen. 




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