“Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”” (Acts 12:8-11, NIV)
I love stories like this…filled with the supernatural. That word means literally “above the natural.” Look at all of it: Peter assumes he’s having a vision, he’s being led by an angel who shines forth light, chains that shackled his hands and feet just fell off, the gate just opens by itself.
Years ago, some well-meaning Christians, totally influenced by rationalism and naturalism, decided that the supernatural was limited to the first century – despite Jesus’ direct statements to the contrary. I’m glad to say that the miraculous God we serve is alive and well. As the Creator of the natural realm, he is still above it.
Sunday, a young man gave his life to the Lord in our church service. He grew up a preacher’s kid. Recently, his grandfather had died, but before passing he elicited a promise from his grandson (and the grandson’s girlfriend) that he would give church another try. Sunday he came to New Life as a fulfillment of that promise. He hadn’t been to church in 18 years!
His name was Jonathan. I preached about the King’s promises and love for Jonathan and Jesus’ promise and love for us. He gave his life to the King.
What an amazing, miraculous God we serve!
Believing for miracles,
Pastor Jim
