T HE - K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S Herod made no effort to ascertain for himself the righteousness of the cause of the Christians. The convincing ere dentials of miracles carried no weigh' with him. He maintained his form of worship, offered his sacrifices upon Jewish altars, and put the servants of the living God to the sword. James, the beloved and intimate disciple of Christ, fell by the sword. The event is recorded in eleven words His was a life hid with Christ in God. He was the first apostle to suffer death. “ The disciple is not greater than his Lord.” The request of his mother for him is recorded in Matt. 20:20, 21, anc’ Jesus’ reply in vs. 22 and 23 follow ing. Now he indeed drinks the cup. Fellowship fits for the furnace. He’was with the Lord in the house of Jairus, at the Transfiguration, in the Garden. A prepared man for a prepared place One of the Sons of Thunder, bold, fear less. He was put to death by the king himself, not by the Jews’ sword, or by their stones. Tradition says that the soldier chained to him, charmed by his con duct, was converted, confessed Christ and suffered with Him. He was not spared as was Peter. God’s ways differ, —-one is taken and another left. God wanted the martyr witness of James, and the living witness of Peter. (2) PRISON AND DELIVERANCE, vs. 5-11. “ The Lord hath sent His angel and hath delivered me.” Peter was the acknowledged leader of the new sect. Herod, seeing that the Jews were pleased with his treatment of James, lays hold of Peter. He hoped to make great capital out of his death, and was preparing to accomplish this after a trial. Being a conscientious Jev and not wishing to defile himself; he considerately postponed the murder un til his devotions were over. It was a feast time, Jerusalem was crowded
204 makes the Christian Jews pay \the bill. Here are some strong contrasts: James is slain— Peter is spared. Herod seeks the life of Peter— God becomes, his protector. It is Herod against God. There is a strong contrast between the Jews planning and plotting for Peter’s death, and the church praying and prevailing for his deliverance. Between Peter’s escort to jd.il by Roman soldiers, and his escort out o ' jail by an angel of the Lord. Between Herod sleeping in the pal ace, and Peter walking in the streets of the city. Between the sleep of Peter and the sleep of the soldiers. Between the darkness which envel oped the watch, and the; light which illumined Peter. Between the faith of Rhoda and the unbelief of the disciples. Between the royal robes of Herod, and his worm-eaten body. Between the shouts of the people and the sentence of God. Here are four pictures: A perse cuted church; a prison opened; a pray ing church; a politician’s death. (1) PERSECUTION- AND DEATH, vs. 1-4. Herod persecuted the church and killed James. Herod Agrippa was on the throne. He was the grandson o" Herod, the Great,_ the child slayer (Matt. 2:16), and nephew of the Herod who put John the Baptist to death (Matt*. 14:3-10). He was bad by birth and bad by practice. He was a typica’ worldling,— a politician. His life demonstrates the principles which de lude the place seekers in this selfish world. Their motto is “ The end jus-, tifies the means.” Truth, justice and thé rights of others are set aside in the interests of personal ambition and party promotion.
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