Hand plant to the face.
I had one job. One job.
How could I be so thick, so dense, so stupid!?
Well, if I don’t laugh at myself, I’ll be the only one not laughing.
So, could you use a good laugh at my expense?
First off, let me just preface everything with I was very tired. I had been up for 24 hours or more. People do weird, goofy things when they are sleep deprived, and I’m no exception. It’s just mine got recorded in the Bible for everyone from now to eternity to read. Lovely. That right there is laughable in and of itself.
I was working at Ms Mary’s house. She’s the mother of John Mark. There were people everywhere. People would come and go, but when they could, they would come and stay. It was the Passover celebration and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, eight days total. But this time, we were using it as an opportunity to pray, to pound the gates of heaven, to bend God’s ear and plead on behalf of Peter.
You see, King Herod was on a tear. He had killed James, the brother of John, by sword. Then he put Peter in prison, and we all knew Herod intended on martyring Peter as well. We were all scared for him, or at least, I was scared for him.
People were in different rooms praying. Some prayed out loud. Some prayed internally. Some prayed standing up. Some prayed on their knees. Some prayed in groups. Some prayed individually. Tears were shed. Scripture was quoted. Promises from Scripture was quoted.
Don’t get me wrong. We kept the traditions associated with the Passover and the Unleavened Bread, but these fellow believers main focus was praying on behalf of Peter.
I did my best to keep things clean and provide what was requested. I prayed while I did my work. Truth be known, I was tired, but I had told Ms. Mary I wouldn’t leave her or that house until the last guest had left.
I wasn’t surprised when I heard a knock at the gate in the wee hours of the morning. I tiptoed past those kneeling in their prayers and made my way to see who was wanting to be admitted when I heard his voice. I would know his voice anywhere. I heard him preach and teach many times. I heard his voice in this very house before. I was so excited. My heart started pounding. I couldn’t help myself I started jumping up and down and smiling like a crazy person. It was Peter!
I ran back inside the house to tell everyone Peter was there. Peter was at the gate. Even then it didn’t dawn on me.
I interrupted everyone praying. Peter is here! Peter is here!
You’re crazy!
I promise you. It’s true.
Then it’s his angel. Rhoda, there’s no way Peter could be at the gate because he’s locked inside Herod’s prison.
Meanwhile back at the gate, Peter is still knocking.
Ugh. How could I have possibly have left him standing outside the gate in the street!? What kind of goof does that? I spent time arguing with these people when I could have just opened the gate and ushered Peter right on in and proved myself, but noooooo, I stood there and argued while Peter knocked.
I did not give in. I insisted it was Peter. So we all went to the gate, and there was poor Peter knocking at the gate. They were shocked. I just stood there smiling so big. I knew it wasn’t his ghost. Everybody knows ghosts can’t knock. It wouldn’t hit me until later that I had left Peter who was on the lamb, on the run from the law out on the street just knocking away trying to get in. Good grief. How embarrassing.
My fellow believers were shocked! Peter motioned to them with his hand to be silent. Peter was let in, and we entered the house. He told how the Lord had brought him out of prison. What an amazing story!
It was so exciting. I wanted to ask questions, but I had been pushed to the back. If I had been allowed, these are just a few of the questions, I would have liked to have asked:
1. What did the angel look like?
2. How hard did he hit you? Did he leave a bruise?
3. How did the angel get him out? I mean did he pass right through walls and stuff?
Those are just a few of the things that popped into my mind while I listened.
Peter wanted these things to be reported to James and the brothers, and then he left for another place.
I was so hyped up from all the excitement. It was several hours before I calmed down enough to sleep, and then I slept a very long time. It was when I awoke that my blunder hit me.
Later I heard in town, Herod was some kind of mad about Peter escaping. Heads would roll.
I just love Rhoda. She is so relatable, isn’t she? If I ever become famous for anything, it will because I’ve done something to embarrass myself. Bless Rhoda’s heart, her note to fame was recorded for everyone to read from then until Jesus returns.
So what can we learn from Rhoda’s funny story? Plenty.
Rhoda was serving the believers. No better place to be when times get tough. Because Rhoda was serving the believers during the difficult time, she heard first hand Peter’s story of escape and how God provided. She got to hear and see Peter for herself.
I love the fact that sweet Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice and was so excited she ran to tell the others. Her genuine love for Peter, the belief that God had delivered him, and the excitement to share the news with those who were praying for Peter just clouded her common sense.
When was the last time you served believers when times were hard? Do you look for opportunities to serve others? People who serve often see and hear the message and miracles first or first-hand as a blessing for serving.
When was the last time you were excited to hear God’s voice that you ran to tell others what He said or what He had done? Excitement is contagious. We have an exciting God who is not contained by any box we may try to put Him in. We worship a God who wants us to know His voice. Do you know the sound of His voice?
Rhoda’s story can be found in Acts 12: 12-19. In Her Sandals is my feeble attempt to put myself in Rhoda’s sandals, consider the traditions and ways of her time, wonder what she might have thought, felt, smelled, and heard and write her story from perspective.