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Acts 12 gives us the record of Herod’s cruel murder of James and imprisonment of Peter because it pleased the Jews. But the Lord had other plans for Peter and sent an angel to release him (Acts 12:7–11). When Peter finally convinced himself that he was not seeing a vision, but that he was truly outside the prison, he “considered” what he should do and determined to go to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12). Think about it. Why did he decide to go there instead of somewhere else? I believe he went to Mary’s house because he could depend on what he would find there. What did he find there?
- He found people praying (Acts 12:12). I believe Peter knew he would find just that, and he wanted to be among prayerful people. If one of our preachers had just escaped prison and was seeking a home where prayer was a common practice would he think of or come to your home? Do you pray anytime in your home? What about mealtime? Do you pause long enough to thank God for your food, or do you just dive right in like the hogs and the dogs, completely oblivious to the source of all good gifts? The hogs and the dogs don’t know any better, but we have no excuse. Have you taught your children to pray? Do you ever pray with brethren who are visiting in your home? Do you close each day with prayer? Would Peter come to your house if he were seeking prayerful people?
- He found protection (Acts 12:13–16). Peter was well known in Jerusalem, by friend and foe alike. He would have been immediately recognizable by guards and Jewish betrayers. He needed to get out of sight immediately. Again, he thought of Mary’s house and knew that they would open to him and help him. Would Peter come to your house for protection or support in face of opposition? Are you known to support faithful Gospel preaching and strong moral stands? Do you stand behind elders who must sometimes make unpopular decisions and visionary plans for the good of the cause? Do you “crawfish” and compromise when the foe must be faced? Do you firmly stand for Truth and righteousness? Peter knew that those who were at Mary’s house would not alert the authorities to save themselves.
Mary must have felt greatly honored that Peter came to her house. Would your home be so honored by the apostle?
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in the October 21, 1976, edition of Granbury Gospel, weekly bulletin of the Church of Christ, Granbury, Texas, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
