political fallout

Good morning all,
Today's reading is an odd one because it doesn't seem very related to the church. Herod discovers that Peter isn't in prison and has the guards executed. We grieve for the guards and their families since their failure to keep Peter in prison wasn't their fault. Then we hear about a political rift and reconciliation between Herod and the people of Tyre and Sidon. When Herod accepts praise almost as a deity God strikes him down for his arrogance. Right after this, we're told that the word of God continued to advance.

It seems like a random thought because Herod's death wasn't connected to the church's preaching. At the same time this passage takes a look at how the world's power compares with God's power. Even though God uses regular people in ministry, God's power lasts while even the strongest human ruler eventually falls to the ground. Herod can't stand against the church or against God. No matter what difficulties the church has, in the end God's mission will succeed and the world will be redeemed by God's love.

Blessings on the new week,
Sam

Acts 12:18-25

18When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

20Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. 22The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” 23And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. 25Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.