Peter’s Escape

Persecution is increasing in Jerusalem. James and Peter are taken prisoner. James is killed, but Peter waits. Just before his execution, Peter escapes!

This is a bitter sweet time for the apostles. It is the beginning of fulfillment of the disciples ‘walking the path’ Jesus walked. The path that leads to execution by the powers that be. James is the first of Jesus’ disciples to follow in His footsteps. Peter is slated to be next. Let’s rejoin our story as Saul and Barnabas arrive in Jerusalem to find this distress happening.

Holy Spirit, guide my journey today. Show me what You have for me in this story. Help me see God’s fingerprints everywhere. Let me see the story as You see it. And with awe and wonder!

♥ ♦ ♥

Herod has come up to Jerusalem for the Passover season. He does not relish this time of year, but he has to play his part in it all. He hates the crowds and the smell of all the animals that are led through the streets and right up to the Temple. Yes. He observes the Passover ceremony, as his position over the Jews dictates, but he doesn’t have to enjoy it. Being here makes him surly.

Years earlier, he was especially entertained when the man from Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth, was condemned and crucified. He tried to get Jesus to perform for him, but He refused. Since then, the religious leaders have been raising a fuss over the man’s disciples. Herod is tired of hearing about it, and that is all anyone talks about here in Jerusalem.

“I’m going to put an end to this myself” he growls as he looks out over the city from his balcony. “And doing it at this time of year is ‘poetic justice’.”

Herod summons his guards. “Go into the Temple. You will find there, men, teaching about Jesus, the Nazarene. They call Him the Christ. Arrest ALL of them. Those who are speaking and those who are listening. Don’t let even one escape. Once you have captured them, bring them directly to me.”

The captain of Herod’s guard salutes him and cries; “It will be done, my king!”

Peter and James have decided to speak out in the Temple today for the Lord.

“With the crowds this size, surely MANY will be hungry to hear about Jesus” says Peter.

James readily agrees. “Let’s not miss this opportunity to speak to those we may never see again.”

The two men set off for the Temple and take their customary place, on the steps that divide the Court of the Gentiles from the Outer Court. They stand together, ready to build off one another as they speak. Many in the crowd recognize them and they gather to hear the messengers of the Messiah.

The soldiers hold back as the crowd gathers.

“My lord, were we not supposed to capture this group?”

“We are. And we are going to. But I want to get as many of them as possible. We will give them time to draw a big crowd before moving in.”

“Wise as always, my captain.”

Many people have come to listen to Peter and James. They speak with authority as eye witnesses to Jesus’ life and resurrection. The crowds are hanging on their every word.

Just before the midday meal, the guards swoop into the Temple and begin taking the listeners and speakers captive. Pandemonium ensues as screams erupt and people try and flee. Anyone not in the targeted group quickly makes their way to the other end of the courtyard.

The captain is happy with their ‘haul’. Captives number around seventy strong. “Herod will be well pleased” he says to his guards. “Let’s get these captives to Herod right away.”

The prisoners are bound and brought to Herod. They stand assembled in front of Herod on his portico. Herod walks along the line, examining them. They are all simple men and women. Not an outstanding person among them. Ordinary, everyday, citizens.

“These are the people the religious leaders are up in arms about? They are nothing but commoners. I wouldn’t waste my breath with the lot of them!”

The captain propels Peter and James forward two steps. “My king, these two are the ones inciting all the others. They are leaders of the sect.”

Herod steps over and looks Peter and James up and down. Neither bow their heads or cower before him in any way. This both angers and excites Herod.

“Were you followers of this Jesus? Did you know Him personally?”

“We walked with Jesus daily and continue to walk with Him even now. We know Him intimately” answers Peter.

Herod throw back his head and laughs. “Did you hear that, Marcus? They walk with a dead man!”

James speaks up. “Jesus is not dead. He rose from the grave three days after enduring the cross. He reigns on high with God, as He is the Son of God Himself.”

Herod waves James’ words away with a hand, as one waves away a foul odor. “I’ve heard your claims before. I don’t believe them any more now than when the Baptizer shouted them at me.”

Herod turns and walks over to the stairs so he can be above those he is ruling. “That one” Herod says while pointing to James, “take him outside the city and run him through. Make sure to gather as many spectators as possible. We want all Judea to see how we handle those who spread discontent among the people.” Herod turns his attention to Peter. “Take this one and lock him away. Make certain that he is secure. I have heard tales of the leaders of this sect being secretly let out of prison. That will NOT happen this time.”

“What of the rest of the people” Marcus, the captain of Herod’s guard, asks.

Herod waves a dismissive hand in their direction. “Let them go. They will spread the news of this arrest and convictions. That should silence their group.”

Marcus salutes. “As you command, my king.”

All the prisoners are ushered out of Herod’s presence. Two soldiers each take hold of James and Peter. The rest disperse the listeners. Peter and James’ eyes lock as they are being led from the portico.

“Count it all joy, brother” James calls out to Peter.

“To the glory of the Father and the Son” replies Peter.

“Shut your mouths” growls the guards escorting them.

Peter is dragged away towards the prison while James is marched back out into the city. Peter prays silently as James is dragged away. “Be with him Lord Jesus. Let his death be a testament to You and bring glory to the Father.”

James, knowing he has nothing to fear, begins testifying of Jesus as he is dragged through the city. “Just as Jesus was taken and crucified, He said, ‘No one takes My life. I give it willingly.’ I too, willingly give my life for my Lord and Savior. Death is not the end. I will be with Him in paradise! Rejoice for me brothers as I follow in my Lord’s footsteps. Not that I desire death, but that, by speaking His name, I am condemned by man. I hold fast to His name, and I proclaim the name of Jesus proudly. For in His name is honor and glory and power forever!”

No matter how many times the soldiers try and silence James as they drag him through the streets, he will not be silenced. And his declaring Jesus’ name brings MANY of the Jews out to follow the procession. Those from the Sanhedrin are among them. They watch with glee as James is dragged beyond the gates of the city. Their greatest desire is to hear his voice silenced, for all time.

James is stumbling, beaten and bloody by the time they reach the gates of Jerusalem. He is covered in the evidence of his refusal to be silenced. The guards holding him drag him through the dung gate, into the valley of Hinnom. The religious leaders gather at the gate, but none will pass through it.

James is pressed to his knees, all the while still witnessing in Jesus’ name. He is bent over a decaying stump. As his head is thrust outwards, James calls out.

“Into my hands I commit my spirit!”

These are the last words spoken by James, the son of Zebedee, brother of John. Disciple of Jesus. Apostles of the church.

When James’ head falls from his shoulders, the spectators go wild! Cheering erupts. A sound that carries all the way to Herod’s palace. He has been watching from his balcony the whole time. And, for the first time in months, a smile is on his face. One filled with malice and death.

“They LOVE me for this” he says to himself. “Then they will doubly love me when I do the same with the other.”

Tomorrow is the beginning of Passover, so Herod will wait until the celebration is done before presenting the people with their second ‘gift’.

Saul and Barnabas arrive in Jerusalem just as the apostles are collecting James’ body. There is silent weeping as James body and head are carried back to the home where they are staying. The house belongs to Mary, the ima of one of the disciples; John Mark. Here, they wash and wrap James’ body for burial.

Those in the house are filled with a mixture of feelings. Yes, they are mourning the death of James, but they are also rejoicing. James is with the Lord. And he walked the path Jesus called each of them to do, unto death. Stories of his life flow from those who are gathered as they remember his life.

But there is another concern weighing heavy on all the believers. Peter is still in the hands of the madman, Herod. As soon as James’ body is laid to rest in a tomb outside Jerusalem, fervent, earnest prayer is offered day and night for Peter’s safety. Saul and Barnabas eagerly join in the petitions to the Lord. Their gifts from the believers in Antioch forgotten for the moment. They were stored safely when they arrived, and will be retrieved after Peter’s fate is decided.

The Passover celebration of this night consists of the bread and wine remembrance Jesus offered. No other traditions are observed, as their hearts are pouring out in prayer. None partake in the unleavened bread celebration. They continue to pray, day and night, knowing that Herod has made plans to bring Peter out for execution when the week is over. The closer the time comes, the more fervent the prayers become.

Peter spends this whole week, chained between two of Herod’s most loyal soldiers. All three sit in a prison cell. The door of the cell is guarded by two more of Herod’s soldiers. To make doubly certain, Peter doesn’t escape, two more guards are posted outside the prison itself. NO ONE is getting past them to release Peter. And Peter is NOT coming out on his own.

Peter has been praying all week as well. He prays for comfort for the believers with the loss of James. He prays for his captors, that Jesus will open their eyes. And he prays for strength, to endure whatever is to come. He asks for deliverance so he can continue to spread the gospel, but he is prepared for death as well. “Not my will but Yours Jesus” Peter prays each night.

Peter also does something that sets his captors teeth on edge. He witnesses to them of Jesus and sings songs of praise. If it weren’t for Herod’s command that he wants Peter to walk out of prison alive, his guards would have killed him themselves

The feast of Unleavened bread ended as sundown today. Peter knows what that means. His guards made certain to tell him of his fate and count down the days for him.

“Herod will be calling for you in the morning. And we can finally get out of this despicable place. And your singing and preaching will finally end!”

Both guards roar with laughter at this. Peter says nothing. His heart and mind are focused on prayer.

The light of the torches has long since faded in the cell with Peter. He is asleep, resigned to whatever awaits him. In the darkest hour of the night, an angel enters the prison cell and stands beside Peter. Light emanates from him but does not wake the occupants of the cell.

The angel reaches over and smacks Peter on his shoulder, rousing him from sleep. “Get up quickly” (Acts 12:7) he tells Peter.

Peter starts to rise and the chains holding him fast to the two guards fall right off his hands and feet. Peter examines his hands for a moment. The angel’s voice gets Peter’s attention.

“Dress yourself and put on your sandals” (Acts 12:8a).

Peter steps over to the corner where his sandals and robe have been discarded. He quickly dresses, making certain to fasten his sandals securely. As soon as he is dressed, the angel speaks again.

“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me” (Acts 12:8b).

Peter wraps himself in his cloak and follows the angel. They walk right past the guards outside the door. Peter believes he is dreaming, and he is enjoying this dream immensely. “Imagine the look on the guards faces if this was real” he tells himself.

Peter and the angel walk right past the second set of guards as well. Peter is marveling at the fact that the doors didn’t even have to swing open for them. It was as if they weren’t even there.

The angel leads Peter to the iron gate that separates the prison compound from the city. The iron gate barring the way swings open of its own accord. Peter is still enjoying his dream. “What would Herod do if this really happened? Probably lose it all over the guards.”

The angel leads Peter through the gate and down one street. Suddenly, the angel disappears. Peter’s face takes on a look of confusion. He looks around him. “If this is a dream, I should be waking up between the guards. But I’m standing HERE, in the middle of the city, wide awake” Peter tells himself. In that instant, Peter realizes that he is TRULY free! “It was no dream” he whispers to himself.

Quickly, Peter makes his way through the quiet streets of Jerusalem to the home of Mary, the ima of John Mark. Peter goes to the door of the gate and begins knocking. He can’t make too much noise, least the neighbors hear him and report it to the authorities. He begins calling out too. He KNOW that the brothers are inside praying. He can see the light of their candles and hear voices.

Rhoda, a servant girl of Mary’s, comes to answer the gate. When she gets near it, she hears Peter’s voice calling out in the night. She is so excited that she runs back into the room where everyone is gathered.

“Peter is standing at the gate” she says with joy.

No one pays her any attention so she says it again, louder.

One of the disciples looks up at her, his brow wrinkled is irritation. “You are out of your mind” (Acts 12:15a).

Rhoda won’t be silenced. “No. I heard his voice with my own ears” she tries again.

“It’s his ghost” (Acts 12:15b).

“It is NOT” she insists. “It’s Peter. He is HERE. He is knocking on the gate.”

Peter did not stop knocking from the moment he began. He can hear the raised voices in the house, so he knocks a little louder. Those in the house finally hear the knocking. Bartholomew gets up to answer the door, expecting to find nothing but an animal or some other thing banging against the gate.

Bartholomew throws open the door and Peter stands right in front of him.

“Peter! It’s really you!”

Peter motions for Bartholomew to be quiet. At Bartholomew’s words, the rest of those in the house rush for the door. Peter hushes them all and motions for them to move back into the house.

“I don’t have long. I’m certain that Herod will scour the city trying to find me. I have to be gone before daybreak.”

“Where will you go” asks John with pain in his voice.

“It’s best I not say. That way, no one can be forced to share that information. But before I go, I HAVE to tell you what happened.”

Heads vigorously nod around the room. Everyone wants to hear this story.

“I have to tell you, that I was prepared to die. I’m glad God chose to do otherwise. And I ministered to my jailers” Peter says with a sly smile. “They didn’t appreciate it, nor my singing voice.”

Peter hushes the laughter that starts to rise up in the room.

“Tonight, as I lay sleeping, chained hand and foot to two guards, an angel of the Lord appeared in the prison beside me. Before I go any farther, I must confess that I thought this all a dream. The angel told me to ‘Get up’ and ‘get dressed.’ The shackles fell from my hands and feet like flax. Then he led me right past two sets of guards, besides the ones who had me bound, and right up to the iron gate into the city. The gate swung open on its own, and he led me down a nearby street. Once I was in shadow, he disappeared before my eyes.”

Peter looks around and everyone is hanging on his every word. “That is when I finally realized that this was no dream. I was truly free and outside the prison. I came straight here to tell you. Now you must do something for me.”

“Anything” choruses quietly through the room.

“Tell these things to James and to the brothers” (Acts 12:17).

With these instructions relayed, Peter stands. “I must leave now. I will see you again. And if I don’t see you in this life, I will see you in the next.”

“Let us pray for you before you leave” says John.

“I know you have not stopped praying for me since the moment James and I were taken, but I welcome all your prayers.”

“Lord Jesus, thank You for restoring our brother Peter to us. We know that our brother James is with You right now. We ask that You be with Peter as he travels to wherever it is that You have next for him to go. Lead him in Your paths always. Protect him and the message he carries; of Your love and salvation. In the name of Jesus we pray.”

A quiet “Amen” resounds around the room.

Peter wraps his cloak around him and slips into the night.

Morning breaks and a startled cry erupts from the cell of Peter. The guards search franticly, but there is nowhere for him to hide.

“Herod is going to kill us!” they cry to one another.

The guards at the door quickly unlock the cell and help in the search. They all four begin to scour the prison from top to bottom.

“He has to be here somewhere! But how did he get past us?”

Herod calls Marcus. “Bring Peter out to me. It’s time to give the Jews another gift.”

Marcus has heard nothing of what has happened in the night yet. “Yes, my king. It will be done.”

Marcus goes to the prison and finds everyone in a panic. He grabs the first guard that passes within reach and demands an answer.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“The prisoner…” the guard stops. Fear radiates from his eyes like beacons.

“What about the prisoner” demands Marcus. He begins moving into the prison holding tightly to the guard’s tunic.

“The guards woke this morning and he was no with them.”

Marcus stops dead in his tracks. “What do you mean he was not with them? Where else would he be?”

“We… don’t… know” the guard stammers.

Marcus releases the man’s tunic and plunges farther into the depths of the prison. He runs all the way to Peter’s cell. “Where is he!” Marcus demands.

The guards stop their frantic searching and turn as one to face their commander. Their faces drain of color when they see the murderous look on Marcus’ face.

“We awoke this morning to find the chains empty, sitting between us. We have no idea how he escaped in the night.”

“You were SLEEPING!” roars Marcus.

“My lord, he was secure. There was no need to remain alert…”

The guard is cut off by a hand wrapping around his throat. “Herod will hear about this and your name will figure prominently in that report.”

Marcus releases the guard and looks around the room at the other three. “All of your names will be mentioned. Don’t go anywhere” Marcus steps forward and pins them each with a look bordering on murder. “If you run, it will be ten times as bad.”

Marcus turns on his heels and stalks out of the prison. He is afraid that Herod will blame him as well. They are, after all, his men.

Marcus bows low as he enters Herod’s throne room. “My king.”

Herod immediately knows something is wrong. “Speak, NOW Marcus” demands Herod.

“My king, Peter, the prisoner, is no longer with us.”

“What do you mean? Did one of your guards kill him! I gave STRICT orders that he was not to be harmed until I called for him.”

“No, my king. The man is not dead. He simply is no longer in the prison.”

“He ESCAPED! HOW? WHEN? WHO HELPED HIM” bellows Herod.

“My men were all at their posts and they say no one came in. When they woke in the morning, the chains binding him between them sat on the ground, empty.”

“Tear this city apart! Someone is hiding him! Someone had to have helped him. I want him found and brought to me immediately!”

Marcus organizes the guards and they scour the city, searching for Peter. They hear a whispered story that an angel brought him out of prison, but they don’t put any stock in it. After six hours of searching the city, the towns and villages around Jerusalem, and the prison again, Marcus returns to Herod.

“He is nowhere to be found, my king” Marcus says with finality.

“Bring me the men who guarded him. I will question them myself.”

Marcus goes to the prison and retrieves the four men who guarded Peter. “Follow me. Herod wants to speak with you.”

Heads held high, like good soldiers, they follow their commander into their king’s throne room. Herod stands in the middle of the room, hands fisted, poised to strike.

“Tell me exactly what happened” he says through clenched teeth.

The guards each relay the exact same story that Marcus brought to him. The two inside the cell do admit to falling asleep.

“He was secure, my king” one pleads.

Herod spits. “Apparently he wasn’t.” Herod turns and walks back to his throne. “You will take the place of the prisoner this morning. You are each to receive his sentence.”

Soldiers to the last, the four salute their king and follow their commander out of the throne room. Their fellow soldiers take hold of them and bring them to the place of execution. One by one, they kneel, place their necks on the block, and receive the executioner’s blow. Herod watches from the side door. His anger is sated, for now.

Saul and Barnabas are finally able to present the gifts for the believers to the apostles as the day draws to a close. Everyone was all safely hidden away as Herod’s guard searched the city. It would not do to have eyewitnesses to Peter’s release be discovered.

“These gifts are from the believers, who now call themselves Christians, in Antioch. They heard the prophecy of the coming famine in the land. They sent their best to be of service to those who are affected the most. They leave that determination in your capable hands” Saul tells the apostles.

“We are grateful for their gifts and will distribute them with care” John assures them.

Saul and Barnabas stay with the apostles for three days before the feel the pull to return to Antioch. One of the disciples, who has deeply impressed both men, is John Mark. They invite him to come along with them; to help in the ministry.

“I would be honored to accompany you” gushes John Mark.

They all set out on in the morning. It has been an eventful visit. Saul is looking forward to an uneventful return trip.

While Saul, Barnabas, and Mark are making their way to Antioch, Herod is making his way back to his home in Caesarea. His time in Jerusalem has come to an end and he can’t wait to be home.

When Herod arrives home, he hears of an uprising happening in Tyre and Sidon. He becomes angry with the whole people. “We will let them starve. Then see what becomes of their rebellion.”

A month later, about the same time Saul, Barnabas, and John Mark reach Antioch, a delegation from Tyre and Sidon appears in Caesarea. They have come ‘hat in hand’ seeking to make amends for their previous behavior. They know it is futile to try and see Herod directly. Instead, they appeal to Blastus, the king’s chamberlain.

“We have sinned against the king. Please plead for us. We wish only peace. To be restored to the king’s favor so we may feed our families. People are dying of hunger.”

Blastus is a wise advisor. He speaks to Herod on behalf of the people, convincing him that, by allowing peace between the peoples, Herod will gain greatly. “Tyre and Sidon receive many precious goods through their sea coast trading. But they need food that only we can provide. Demand payment in the most costly manner you can devise. They will meet it.”

Herod agrees to Blastus proposal. “Bring me my royal robes. I will go out and speak with the people.”

Herod, wearing his finest robes, goes to the amphitheater in the middle of town. His throne is set high on a pedestal where all can see him. Trumpets sound to call the people to attendance. Once everyone is seated, Herod walks in and takes his place on his throne. He addresses the people from here.

“People of Tyre and Sidon. Welcome to my home. You have come humbly before me and I will show you mercy. I will be your salvation, in supplying you with food again.” Herod raises a finger. “But you will be required to bring offerings to me as well. Together, we will make our nations great again.”

The people begin shouting out praises to Herod.

“The voice of a god, and not of a man!” (Acts 12:22).

Herod is drinking in every word of them. As Herod basks in the praise, God punishes him by requiring his life. A bolt of lighting falls from the sky and strikes Herod dead where he sits.

Panic ensues and people scramble to get out of the amphitheater. Many people are trampled in the rush, but they will recover. Herod will not. He sits on his throne, charred to the bone, his robes smoldering as the people flee.

“Herod is NO God” the Lord says with finality.

(to be continued)

I LOVE this story! There are several prison stories that never fail to excite me. I think my favorite is when Paul and Silos ‘sing the doors off’ their hinges. They truly get to minister to their jailer and save his life, in more ways than one.

Writing these stories, it helps me dig deeper into them. I didn’t remember all the other events that went with this experience. James’ death is one of those events that I skipped over. When looking up information on his death, my Google search returned that he was beheaded. He was certainly “killed by the sword” whether it was his neck receiving the sword or some part of his body. And I placed him in the spot where I thought made the biggest statement for Herod.

The valley of Hinnom was where garbage was dumped by the whole city. Jesus used it as a metaphor for Hell. His memorial cathedral stands in a different place in Jerusalem today, but it is for two different James’. One is John’s brother, while the second is Jesus’ brother. James, the son of Zebedee is the first of the apostles martyred for the gospel. He won’t be the last.

Father God, thank You for watching over Your people. I know that things don’t always turn out the way WE want them to, but they ALWAYS turn out how YOUR plan requires. Jesus told His disciples that they would walk the path He walked. James is the first to do it. I PRAY I will never have to face the danger of martyrdom, but if I do, let me be as faithful in my death as he was.