Acts 12:17
But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
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A few days ago I journaled on how the Lord had scattered the church, but called the apostles to stay in Jerusalem, despite persecution. After this, Herod kills James (John's brother) and imprisons Peter. After a miraculous escape from prison, Peter goes to Mark's mother's home by night and then leaves Jerusalem that same night to go somewhere else. Luke doesn't tell us where he went but scholars generally speculate he went to either Rome or Antioch as likely locations.
If my timeline is not off, this is about one year after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, as it says that these things took place during the Feast of Unleavened bread (a week-long feast following the Passover). In one single night, the church in Jerusalem changes leadership. Peter leaves in one night and leaves a message for James (the brother of Jesus) and the other apostles. That he mentions James first, by name, and no other apostles, gives us a glimpse of a leadership baton-passing. It happens in one night.
The next morning I imagine James finding out that Peter has been delivered from prison by an angel, and then hearing that he's left and now James is in charge. I'm sure by this point, James is already a well-respected leader in the church (it also doesn't hurt to be the half-brother of Jesus Christ), but still, Peter had been the head leader for a year and now it's James' time. There isn't any leadership preparation period, no transitionary phase, no 90-day test drive, he's up to bat.
In my experience, these types of rapid transitions still happen in the church today. Even though it may seem like it all happens so fast and without warning, God is still the one who ultimately ordains these things. I don't think that I'm going to be facing a higher leadership role anytime soon that comes suddenly, but I'm honestly still a little unsure as to why I feel led to journal on this particular event.
Maybe it's a reminder for me to have disciples that are currently raised up and ready to take on more responsibility should the situation require it on short notice. This will require much more intentionality on my part, but it is undoubtedly what God has called us to do: to make disciples of Jesus who will in turn go and make other disciples.
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