Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times in 3 parts

They prayed the whole day.

Around dusk, there was a knock on the door.

"Wonder who that could be."

"Will you see who it is, Rhoda?"

She went to the door and came back running, and announced gleefully "it was Peter.  Peter is at the gate!"

John sighed.  "Now, get ahold of yourself girl.  Peter is in prison."

"But I heard his voice.  I know it was him."

"Come on" teased another disciple.  "You're beside yourself."

The sound of knocking continued and grew louder.

"No, no, it's him.  I know it's him."

"It's his angel" suggested another disciple, with trembling voice.  "He's been killed and his spirit has come to tell us and warn us to be careful."

But the knocking continued and Rhoda insisted "it's Peter I tell you!"

"Well then," urged Manaheem, smiling, "why didn't you let him in?"

She ran again to the door and opened it.  In waked Peter to the surprise of all.

"Wow!  It really is him!" shouted one startled disciple.

"Why did you keep me waiting, girl?" asked Peter

"They didn't believe it was you," she replied.

"We were so surprised we couldn't believe it was really you," explained Manaheem, "although, now, it does seem strange that we should doubt, as we were praying for your release."

Several disciples began talking almost at the same time:

"Well, praise God, God has answered our prayers and brought you back to us."

"Yes, praise God, brother Peter!   You're here safe and sound!"

"What happened?"

"How did you get out?"

Peter replied: "An angel of the LORD came and released me while the guards were asleep.  I could hardly believe it myself.  My chains fell off and the prison doors opened by themselves.  I thought I was dreaming till I got out into the street.  Then I realized the LORD had sent his angel to save me."

Manaheem sighed.  “I guess that shows that we need to have faith when we pray for something."

John agreed.  "Yes, let it be a lasting lesson for us.  And let us now give thanks and praise to God for delivering our brother Peter."

************

The next day Herod Agrippa went to the prison intending to taunt the prisoner.  To his surprise, he found the cell empty.  "What happened?!" he bellowed to the guards?  “Where's the prisoner?!"

"We don't know.  He just escaped somehow."

"Where were you?" he screamed.  "You were supposed to be guarding him!  I’ll have your heads for this!"

**********

Back at the palace, Herod Agrippa called again for Malcius Arilius, the leader of the palace guard.

"Yes, Your Majesty?   I was in the middle of drilling the guard when I got your message.  You said it's important, so I dropped everything and came at once."

"It is important, Malcius.  I want you to take some men and go the prison in town and execute the guards who are guarding there.  Then replace them with two of your men."

"Yes, Your Majesty, right away.  Anything else?"

"Yes.  Tell Blastus to have our bags packed.  He and I will be leaving for Caesarea tomorrow."

"But, Your Majesty, I thought you were going next week.  The games don't start for another week."

“I know, Malcius, but I can't stay here and face the Jews after this.  I’ll just arrive in Caesarea a few days early.  I can use the rest.  And have Blastus pack my best robes.  I’m judging the games, you know."

"Yes, Your Majesty.  I shall tell him at once.