Thursday, November 23, 2017

Did God get the Glory? (Acts 12:1-18)


Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm them. So he executed James the brother of John with a sword. And when he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (Now this was during the feast of Unleavened Bread.) (Acts 12:1-3)

Let’s try something. All things are for the glory of God. We say that we believe it. We find it in many places through all the scriptures. Can we see it here in this account of Peter's imprisonment and release?


Here we have a pagan King – Herod Agrippa – causing much grief to the church; first by killing James the brother of John in a horrendous way and then by arresting Peter. I suspect he would have killed Peter immediately also, but the timing of arresting Peter was too late, the days of unleavened bread had already started. But this would in no way dissuade this evil man – he simply planned to kill Peter after Passover.


I want to ask, How is it that James’ death glorifies the Lord? At this point first let me quote a verse from the Psalms,
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Ps. 116:15)
 

Herod meant for evil, and to set himself in a better place with the people (when he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews), yet God always gets the glory! As Joseph said to his brothers,

Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Gen. 50:19-20)

Earlier in Genesis we read,

God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. (Gen. 45:7-8)

It may have pleased the Jews that James was killed but this is unimportant…it pleased God to take him. He was the first of the Apostles to die. He had a Ministry for about 14 years before the Lord called him home. To the Saints – his death was a call to prayer for Peter. Peter had been in prison along with all the apostles in Acts 5:17-18, but found angelic release in Acts 5:19. So the Saints perhaps had reason to think he'll be freed soon. Yet no promise was ever given that such would be true, and seeing James’ martyrdom reminded them they have a part in intercession!

In fact when John’s gospel is closing we read the account of Peter and Jesus where Peter was seeking the destiny of John. Christ’s response was that we should not concern ourselves with such things:

Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22)

In the Book of Matthew we also read of an account where the sons of Zebedee were seeking a glory not promised (through their mother)

And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Matt. 20:21-23)

Indeed both the sons of Zebedee suffered martyrdom (or in the case of John he was twice, but survived both and due to double jeopardy laws was set free and lived out his life to a very old age in Ephesus) for all things do accomplish the glory of God – regardless of the intent of the human instrument.

Consider these passages - Hover your mouse over each of these Scripture references: 1 Chr. 16:23-29, 29:10-13; Ps. 86:8-10, 96:1-9; Isa. 43:5-7, 55:8-11; Dan. 4:34-37; John 13:31; Rom. 11:33-36; 1 Cor. 8:6, 10:31;Phi. 1:9-11; Col. 1:15-18, 3:17; Heb. 2:10, 13:20-21.

There are almost endless examples of God’s glory in the scriptures, for in the end, and even in the present he is to be praised!

 Praise the Lord!
Amen.