Good News

You can tell whether people are serious or not by how they respond to things. James was put to death; Peter was imprisoned by Herod, but the Lord would rescue Peter (Acts 12:1-11). Peter would venture to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. At her house many had gathered to pray (v. 12).  Peter knocks on the door and Rhoda, a servant girl, responds to the rapt at the door. She recognizes Peter’s voice and in elation runs to tell the others that Peter was back. She was so excited that she didn’t even let him in. She left him standing there outside the gate!

The group that was gathered didn’t believe Rhoda. They responded with, “You are out of your mind…It is his angel!” (v. 15), but “Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed” (v. 16).

Sometimes the news is so good that you can’t but go run and tell others. Poor Peter was left standing outside as Rhoda sought to convince the group of what was so. I think Rhoda’s excitement about Peter’s arrival said a lot about her that is good.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a similar joy and quickness to share the good news of Jesus with others?