JUST A NAME

By Rick Mathes

Acts 12:13 (NASB77) ¹³  And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.

If I wrote a letter to the City of New York and signed it “Rick” those that read it would wonder “Rick who?” Whoever heard of just plain “Rick?” But if they received a letter signed “The Donald” they would immediately know the author was Donald Trump.

I have preached to many tens of thousands over more than three decades all over the world via internet but I guarantee you that given a choice between knowing “Rick”” or “Rhoda” most anyone with a Bible would say “Oh yes, Rhoda. She was the servant girt who opened the door when Peter escaped from prison.” I’m not so sure I know who this Rick is, there are so many with that name. I can’t find his name in the Bible though as I can Rhoda’s name.

An obscure servant girl has had her name immortalized in the Word of God! Jesus knew her very well. He knew all about her. She was a perfect example of what a Christian should be so much so she is personally named in the greatest book on earth: Rhoda

She was a true Christian that could always be found in fellowship with others of like persuasion even behind locked doors for fear of her life being taken by those who hated her pastor: Jesus.

In those days, you had to be careful or you would be killed right on the spot if you were a follower of “The Way.” Would you believe this persecution continues to this day? Consider, more professing Christians have been martyred in my lifetime than from my birth date back 2,000 years to the Cross!

Her faith was heartfelt as evidenced by the shock an awe she experienced when she recognized that Peter, THE Peter, the pebble was at her door. She didn’t just shut down in fear, she actively rose to the occasion and announced the unbelievable that the Apostle Peter was at the door of their secret underground church service. This incident, no matter how small gave her a purpose in life: to open the door and give Peter refuge from those who wre looking to crucify him as they had done his Leader.

She put her life on the line and is remembered and admired to this day as a silent warrior for the Lord that did what she did in obedience to her God and He never forgot it!