Peter was imprisoned by the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1–10). They bound his hands with chains, shackled his feet, and secured the prison with a locked door. The believers were unable to free him, and while the entire village was asleep, even Peter himself was sleeping in the prison. But the church remained awake, praying earnestly for his release.
Peter had a divine mission to
fulfill, and now the church had a mission of its own—to pray for his
deliverance. These believers were new to the faith and didn’t even have a
proper place to gather. Still, they prayed fervently. Their prayer needed to
reach heaven. The prison doors had to be opened, the chains had to fall off,
and the miracle needed to be known to all.
As they continued in prayer,
their petitions reached heaven. God heard them. He sent an angel who released
Peter and led him safely into the city. It was then that Peter realized he had
truly been set free. Through the power of prayer, the prison doors were opened,
the chains were loosed, and Peter was delivered.
Peter then went to the house
where the church was gathered in prayer and knocked on the door. The church had
carried out a faithful act—the ministry of prayer—but their faith was still
weak. When a young girl heard Peter’s voice at the door and ran to tell the
others, they didn’t believe her. They couldn’t accept that Peter had actually
come, though they had prayed for his release.
They didn’t know exactly how
God would answer, but they had prayed passionately: “Lord, set Peter free!
Don’t let him be killed like Stephen!” They pleaded with God, praying with
great intensity and burden.
Dear friends, when we pray for
anything with deep conviction and unwavering persistence, God will surely
respond. Whatever the request may be, let us pray with steadfastness and united
hearts—because such prayer has power.
2. Judas Iscariot and the Test
of Faithfulness
Jesus trusted Judas Iscariot
and entrusted him with the money bag. Some may mock this, saying it was like
tying a bag of prawns around a cat’s neck. As we see in John 12:4–6, among the
twelve disciples, Judas acted as the treasurer. Though Jesus knew he was a
thief, many still question: why would God assign him that responsibility?
But God gave him that task. Is
there any place better than the presence of Christ Himself for someone to
change their ways? Could Judas have been in a more favorable position for
transformation?
The Lord brought Judas into
His inner circle and gave him time—three and a half years. Yet Judas did not
change. Even in the holy presence of Jesus, even within the time allotted by
the Lord, even in the final moments—Judas remained unchanged.
Because Jesus entrusted him
with what was meant to be given to Peter, Judas should have been all the more
faithful. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave him bread—a final act of grace, a last
opportunity for repentance. But even then, Judas did not change.
Therefore, Jesus said to him,
“What you are about to do, do quickly.” Did Jesus pray for Judas? Yes, He did.
Still, Judas did not carry out his entrusted duty faithfully. Instead, he
brought judgment upon himself. In the end, Judas left the very presence of God.
Even today, many teachers and
Christians walk in the footsteps of Judas, failing to remain faithful with what
God has entrusted to them.
3. Faithfulness in All
Circumstances
The Lord God spoke gently and
patiently with Cain (Genesis 4:9), asking, “Where is your brother?” But Cain
answered harshly, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Though he brought an offering, he
did not offer himself to God. In the time of the Father, Cain was given a
chance to change, but he chose to respond with pride and walked away from the
presence of God. In the time of the Son, Judas Iscariot too walked away from
the Lord’s presence. In the time of the Holy Spirit, Ananias and Sapphira also
departed from God’s presence due to their deceit. Many today are involved in
gospel work, yet have not truly given their hearts to God. The Lord still asks,
“My child, give me your heart.”
There are three kinds of
offerings: the offering of the heart, material gifts, and financial giving.
There are also three kinds of work God has entrusted to us: the work of prayer,
the work of spreading the gospel, and the ministry of giving. God trusts us
with these, just as He trusted the Church in Smyrna and encouraged them to
remain faithful even in the face of danger (Revelation 2:10).
There are many types of
dangers: lack of provision, poverty, illness, slander, enemies, and even
threats to life. In times of need, we must trust in God. In times of sickness
and opposition, we must pray. Even when our lives are at risk, we must remain
faithful. When Stephen was being stoned, he knelt and prayed—he remained
faithful in the face of death. That was an experience of true commitment, even
unto the cross. Because of this, he received the crown of life. God gave
Stephen the privilege of enduring suffering, and in his final moments, he saw
heaven open, the Son of God, the crown of life, and angels welcoming him.
Likewise, no matter the
difficulties—be it illness, opposition, slander, or danger—we must remain
faithful in the work God has entrusted to us.
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