THE FIRST PASSOVER AFTER

It seems this might have been an important anniversary for the early church. It was Passover time, possibly the first Passover after the crucifixion of Jesus.

Whatever was happening, it would have been a time of memories and reflection. But their remembering was not allowed much time amid the urgency of persecution. King Herod Agrippa—grandson of the King Herod at the time of Jesus’ birth—had a new plan for popularity: arresting and killing Jesus’ followers. His first victim was James, the brother of John. Then, just before the Passover celebrations, Peter was arrested and put in prison, giving Herod the opportunity to plan a public trial after the religious festival. Likely remembering Peter’s previous escape from prison, the captain of Herod’s guards put extra security precautions in place. But the church was praying earnestly. The night before he was to be brought to trial, Peter was asleep, even though he was chained between two guards and would have been justified in worrying about his trial looming the next morning. An angel appeared in Peter’s cell and escorted him out into the street, leaving him to find his way to Mary’s house, where members of the church were praying. They were so surprised to see him at the door that he was left there, even as they began to celebrate his release. We do not know why James was executed but Peter was miraculously rescued. Both were prayed for by the same group of people and just as earnestly.

But we do know that even after James was killed, the believers continued to pray for Peter. One of the first Passovers after Jesus’ crucifixion saw the execution of James—and the rescue of Peter. The believers trusted that God was with them in both circumstances.