Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-04-27
LESSON FOR APRIL 30
PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON.

One day the sons of Zebedee" de-
sired Jesus to grant a carte blanche
petition. Pressed further as to their
particular request, they petitioned for
the seats of authority on the right
and left hand OF Jesus in glory. In
reply Jesus said that such a petition
was not a proper N nor intelligent
ly asked. but according to their in
trepid assertions of willingness they
should be baptized with his baptism
of death (Mark 10:35-45), and that
the greatest of his followers should
be servant of ALL" Today's lesson is
q fulfillment Of that prophecy.
|. Peter in Prison., the Church Pray.
Ing Tvs. Icy. Prosecutions had been
resumed (9:31) after a temporary lull.
Some people serve Christ by living.
others by yielding up their lives for
his sake. James mot the n men,
toned in chapter 49, was slain and
Peters death delayed in order not to
pollute the feast Of the Jewish Holy
week. Peters position was p%erilous.
Sixteen soldiers guarded him in a Ro-
man dungeon. But his enemies had
left God out of their calculations and
the believers had linked themselves
through prayer with the source OF all
power. Against such a force Herod's
cunning plan, whereby he might curry
favor with the Jews ". 81. is power.
less. But it is now almost the hour
for Peters execution. Why the de
lay? The greater to demonstrate
the power Of God. Herod and the Jews
cared not for, nor recognized, Easter.
but God cared for his servant and hon.
ored the prayers of his saints. Peters
faith in the plans and purposes Of
God is indicated by his slumber and
the need of being fully awakened by
the angel. There are four things about
that vigil of prayer ". 81 offered by
the church on Peters behalf, which
was SO wondrously answered. "a 1t
was directed unto God" Some pray
ers are offered to audiences or the
ears of man, but not such as are IN
swered. We have heard prayers. So
called, offered where the name OF
Jesus is never mentioned, and scarce
ly the nam of God. Literally ". 81
this was a "stretch-out-ed-ly" prayer.
and its earnestness was such as to
circumvent this vile grandson Of
Herod the Great. (2) 1t was made
without ceasirg' earnestly R. W.
There was a sincerity and an intensity
of desire on Peters behalf which Ian
guage can scarcely express tSee also
Rom. S:26). The same word is used
of our Lords prayer in the garden
when His sweat was as great drops
of blood falling down to the ground
Luke 22:44, Rom. 1880, Col. 4:12.
10, R. W There is little such PRAYER
to be found, but once found it is an
swered. 90 1t was of the church."
i. e., it was a united prayer. Such
unity is the evidence of the Spirits
presence (Eph. 4:1.16). One shred
OF hemp is not very strong, but many
united form the strong ard mighty
rope. Multiply individual prayer by
the united prayer of the church and
see the mighty works of God. ca
1t was definite. for him." Definite
prayers of definite individuals for def.
mite purposes will produce definite re-
suits.
u. Prayer Answered. Peter at Liberty
Tvs. I'D. The messenger OF God
ir = \ Dp,,,1ht liO1,f S-of tho cnryonf
of God needed awakening, a sugges.
ton to apply to u modern church
life. His method Of awaking Peter
suggests that it often takes sharp
blows to arouse us to our duties and
privileges. The sinner has to be
awakened before he can be delivered.
Deliverance is more needed than
sleep. Neglect is more dangerous than
rebellion. Half.awake Peter neverthe.
less obeyed Gods messenger. Nor
did he seemingly stop to argue or ask
for further particulars and explana-
tons as so many sinners do. The rec
ord of this deliverance is most graph
ic. Peter did nothing but to follow.
IN 40 llS obcSCuy olS dlltl AIlolASl
OF the seemingly unsurmountable diff
culties which lay between him and
freedom, melted away, even before he
had time to lay so much as his finger
to the task. If we obey God. what
seems to man to be an absolute bar
rier, will be overcome. though fire.
quently it is not removed until we are
face to face with 1t even as Peter
stood before first n gate and then
another. Looking back many of us
can exclaim of our deliverances that
we twist not that 1t was true"
~. Joy and Amusement Tvs. l2.17).
Peter, finding himself untrammeled
and free upon the streets of the city,
and nc longer angel.accompanied, at
once repaired to his friends. Do we
seek the prayer meetings? 1t was
startling indeed for the subject Of their
prayers to knock at the door; perhaps
he should have been more consider
ate Of their feelings. One, Rhoda,
readily responded, and 1t was her per-
sistent faith that finally overcame the
lack of faith on the part of the others.
While they were yet speaking God
had answered lisa. 65:24), but such
n prompt and complete deliverance
al not expected, and 1t amazed and
bewildered them. Rhoda seemed to
be expecting Peter. for as soon as she
answered Peters rap at the door she
recognized his voice ". 14), and FROM
sheer Joy over the good news she was
able to communicate 1t to those pray.
ing, but she neglected the important
duty Of opening the door for Peter.
She vas only a maid" and her mes.
sage was but foolishness luke "a:
~, which her elders sought to ex.