The chains fell off. The gates opened by themselves. He thought he was dreaming.
📖Based on Acts 12:7
He was asleep.
That was the remarkable thing. Scheduled for execution the next morning and he was asleep.
He was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards at the door.
A light shone in the cell.
The angel struck him on the side. Not gently. Struck him. Wake up.
Peter woke.
The chains fell off his hands.
The angel told him to put on his sandals. He did.
Put on your cloak. Follow me.
Peter followed him out.
He didn't think it was real. He thought he was seeing a vision. A dream.
They passed the first guard. The second guard.
They came to the iron gate that led to the city.
It opened by itself.
They went through.
They went down one street.
And the angel departed from him.
Just like that.
Peter stood alone on a street in Jerusalem at night.
And he came to himself.
That phrase. He came to himself. As if he had been somewhere else, in some other state, while the escape happened.
He said: Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me.
He went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark.
He knocked on the door.
A servant girl named Rhoda came to the gate.
She recognized his voice and was so overjoyed she didn't open the gate.
She ran in and told them Peter was at the door.
They told her she was out of her mind.
They were praying for him.
And couldn't believe he was standing outside.
Scripture — Acts 12:7
"And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands."
Reflection
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Peter slept soundly before his execution. Peace does not require a resolved situation — only a held life.
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The people praying for his release couldn't believe he was free. Sometimes faith prepares the room but struggles with the answer.