Suggested Friends: Rhoda
Part 8 of the “Suggested Friends” message series
6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. – Acts 12:6-16 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
Often, we can find ourselves imprisoned and bound by challenging circumstances, or the “chains” of this life. It is important to have people in our lives who can encourage and inspire us. What can seem like a simple or naïve faith to some is a very DEEP faith. These servant leaders will be people of prayer who will have a deep faith and believe in us, even when we may not believe in ourselves. We can also choose to be a “Rhoda” in the life of others. God is faithful! We should always be persistent and persevere for the things of God.
We find ourselves imprisoned and bound by the chains of life.
Bring me out of prison so I can thank You. The godly will crowd around me, for You are good to me. – Psalm 142:7 (NLT)
Prayer is simply communicating with God.
- Pray in earnest.
- Be an encourager, not a drainer!
Encouragement builds one another.
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. – I Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)
Encouragement can save a life.
- Be persistent and persevere for the things of God.
Questions for Reflection
What were some of the “make-believe” games you played as a child? Can you identify some of the life skills you were learning while you were “making believe?”
What are circumstances that make you feel that you are in “prison” at times?
What were some of the times when you were down, and someone encouraged you?
Do you think some modern-day followers of Jesus still might not be ready to hear the voice of a Rhoda witness?
Do you see any similarities between Rhoda’s recognition (verbally) of Peter and the risen Jesus’s encounter with the disciples (compare Luke 24:31 and Matthew 28:8)?
Who can you encourage or hug today?
Who is a “Rhoda” in your life who uplifts you?
Are you willing to do little? Is the little beneath you? Are you too big to do small? Children help us see the mustard-seed meaning to life.