Hope in Triumph. Hope in Tribulation.
In Acts 12, Herod Agrippa "had James the brother of John put to death with a sword" (v. 2). James' alleged crime was proclaiming the Divinity of Jesus, something the Jews of that day labeled as influencing people to "serve other gods" (Deuteronomy 13:12-15). When Agrippa saw that James' death pleased the Jews, "he proceeded to arrest Peter also" (Acts 12:3). Comparing James’ execution with Peter’s rescue and Agrippa’s death reveals that we serve a God who sanctifies His people in triumph and tribulation.
Comparing James and Peter
Read Acts 12:1-17 and compare the fate of James with Peter's. You will see that James was put to death, but Peter was miraculously saved. Perhaps, the skeptic asks, "Where was God when James was killed? If he could save Peter, why did he not save James?" As we consider these questions, we remember that God is sovereign (in absolute control over all things) and that God is good (Psalm 119:68). We see these truths present in Acts 12:5, which states, "So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God." If James had not been murdered, then the church would not have prayed fervently for Peter to live. Not only did God welcome his child, James, into His eternal peace and presence at his death, but he also used James' death to sanctify the church. Tragedy among Christians is an occasion to pray, trust, embrace God's goodness, grow in your faith, and experience sanctification. God does not will sin, but God does not waste it either . . . He uses it to save (Luke 23:34) and sanctify His people (Acts 12:1-5).
Comparing James and Agrippa
Now, read Acts 12:18-25. Here, we will see Herod Agrippa executing more people (v. 19) and posing as a false god (v. 22). God's justice resounds in the very next verse, saying, "And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died" (v. 23). The chapter begins with James dying on the accusation of promoting false gods and ends with Herod Agrippa's death for posing as a false god. Praise God for His justice. Praise God that his vengeance on Agrippa was and still is far greater than Peter or the praying church of his day could have enacted on the tyrannical ruler (Romans 12:19-21).
Hope: God is Present in Triumph and Tribulation
Acts 12 shows that evil is present in the world we inhabit (cf. Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4). This chapter also shows us that God is present in this world too, always working the evil against Himself and His people for His glory and our eternal benefit (Romans 8:28; Luke 23:34; Genesis 50:20). He is not aloof when men like James die a martyr's death; He was no less present in the death of James than He was in the rescue of Peter. Therefore, Jesus’ words carry significant meaning for the fainthearted: "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Christ is the King. Christ is the Victor. Christ is our Hope in triumph and tribulation.
