Today we read from the One Year Bible in Acts 12:1-23. We read about St James being killed with the sword, one of the first martyrs, after St Stephen. But we also read about Peter, who is in jail and being sentenced to die, but who is miraculously released from jail by an angel.
Now, we know that Peter does go on to martyrdom eventually, and is crucified upside down since he said he wasn't worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus. So why did God free him from prison if he was just going to be martyred a little later on?
We see that there are times when we're called to martyrdom, and times when we are not. Peter still had more work to do, to share the gospel with more people, before he was called to the ultimate sacrifice. You and I have more work to do, too. We are also called to share the gospel with more people, and love them with His love, before we're called home. Some of us will be called to martyrdom. Some of us will die natural deaths, like St John, who was boiled in oil by his persecutors, but God had other plans for him, and the oil miraculously did no harm to him. He was eventually exiled to Patmos, where he died a natural death.
What is God calling you to do today? Are you ready to come meet Him when the time comes? Maybe say a prayer, that His grace will be with you when that moment comes.
God, thank You for calling us to do a little more work before the time comes to come home. Please help us use our time wisely.
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