Book of Faith Series
Rhoda
When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. Acts 12:13 Do you want to see yourself in the Bible? There’s a character there who may be more like you than you care to admit. Maybe you’ve never heard of Rhoda. I have to admit, she plays a very small role in the Bible, and you will find her story in Acts 12: 12-17. Here’s what happened: Peter had been arrested for speaking about Jesus, but that night, while he was in prison, an angel came and the chains fell off. The doors miraculously opened, and the angel led Peter out. Peter made his way to where the small band of believers were hiding. And it’s not hard to imagine their fear – after all, if Peter, their leader could be arrested, then they were certainly at risk too. That’s when Rhoda appears. The door is locked, and so Peter knocks. A maid named Rhoda goes to the door and asks who it is. When she hears Peter’s voice, she’s so amazed and overjoyed that she runs to tell all the others. What she failed to do, or forgot to do, was to open the door. So there Peter was, a fugitive, still knocking at the door. The others didn’t believe Rhoda, but eventually, Peter got in and told them all that had happened. That’s all we ever hear of Rhoda. But I like her. I like her excitability. You see, I think we should all be excited when God does something incredible. And I think God does incredible things over and over in our lives. Let’s look for them and notice them. And then let’s get overexcited and overjoyed and overwhelmed at what God is doing. And eventually, let’s remember to go back and open the door. Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with excitement and joy at your works and wonders. Amen. Pastor Gary