It’s November – the start of a new month, and the end of my week of podcasts.  It has been great to reflect on the word of God with you over the past 5 days.  Next week we’ll be taking a break from the Book of Acts, as Mick focuses on unpacking key Bible passages that link to our vision for the year ahead.  Be sure not to miss them!

For now, our Bible reading is Acts Chapter 12 v6-19, and I’m going to be looking at Rhoda – the servant girl who answers the door to Peter, following his miraculous release from prison.

REFLECTION:

In both the Old and the New Testament we find promises in Scripture that God knows us personally and calls us by name.

Isaiah 43: 1 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.”

And in John 10: 3 we read, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Given the context and culture of the New Testament, it is particularly significant when women are named or identified, and in Acts we hear of Tabitha, Mary, Lydia, Priscilla and Damaris, as well as a group of Greek women of high standing, the daughters of Philip the Evangelist…..and then Rhoda.

The fact that Rhoda and others are named shows us how women were important, central figures to the growth of the church, and always seen as a key part to what God was doing.  In this way the Gospel continually speaks of, and illustrates how, God’s kingdom will turn the cultural and societal norms of earth on their head.

In today’s Bible passage Rhoda is the first person to realise that Peter has been rescued from prison.  She is the one who announces the miracle to the waiting, praying church inside the house.  It’s not difficult to see parallels with the way in which the risen Christ appeared to Mary in the garden, and she then told the news of the resurrection to the other disciples.

The second thing to note about Rhoda was that she was a servant girl, or maid.  She was of lowly position, possibly even a slave.  So again, we see how God chose to challenge pre-conceived ideas of status and position when it came to choosing who would be first to hear good news.  It reminds us of the fact that when Jesus was born, angels appeared first to lowly shepherds to tell them of the Saviour’s birth.

The arrival of Jesus heralded a complete change to the status quo, but despite his consistent, radical approach of turning the old order of things on its head; the fledgling church was sometimes a little slow on the uptake.

When Rhoda rushes in to tell them that Peter is at the door, they first tell her that she is mad, and then they suggest that she has made a mistake.  It is not a real person at the door, it is an angel.  Mad or mistaken, the followers of Jesus in the house that night did not believe that Rhoda, a female maidservant, could possibly be speaking the truth.  She did not have the authority or importance to have her message taken seriously.

Rhoda, however, perseveres and insists that Peter himself really is at the door; that there has been a miraculous answer to their prayers.  She shows courage and faith to not only continue sharing the message, but also to challenge those who are dismissive of her.

But what does the story of Rhoda have to teach us today?

Firstly, some of us may need to be reminded of our heavenly status, rather than our earthly position.  As Christians, we are sons and daughters of the king, heirs to his kingdom, members of his family.  And we need to remember that our Heavenly Father, the King of Kings, knows us by name, and has a purpose for our lives.  Whether we are a man or a woman, a road sweeper or the CEO of a multi-national, we all have a role to play in God’s kingdom, and we are all called to announce the good news of Jesus to those that we live and work with.

If you have ever felt insignificant, not important enough, or lacking in influence or position – remember the s...