Are you mad??

“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.” - Act 12v13-14

I hope it is not an excuse for my lack of faith or immaturity, but I love it when we get to see the humanness of people in the Bible. The believers were so burdened for Peter and his imprisonment that they met together to pray for him to be released. While they were praying God worked a miracle and freed him, despite being chained to two guards and two more at the door.

Peter made his way to Mary’s house, where he knew the church was praying. He knocked at the door and Rhoda, a servant girl answered it and saw Peter there. Did she invite him in? No, a wanted man and jail-breaker was left standing at the door while she ran in to tell the prayer group. “Its Peter, he is at the door!” “Are you mad girl? Peter is in prison.” While Peter stood at the door they argued with Rhoda over whether Peter was really there or not! She finally convinced them to come to the gate and they were amazed, astounded, and confounded when they saw Peter. It looks like the stood there and got excited because Peter had to gesture to them to quiet down. The scene is almost comical – a bunch of Christians shocked and excited about seeing Peter and him, looking around, trying to get them to be quiet!

How amazing to see that God could do the impossible even while they prayed with less than perfect faith!