What about Rhoda?

 

Rhoda. Sounds familiar? For those of a certain age, the only Rhoda you may know is Mary Richard’s best friend on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

The name Rhoda does appear in the bible. We meet her in Acts chapter twelve but other than that one mention, nothing more is said about her. She is one of the many obscure characters who play a relatively significant role then fades away.

I’m sure you’ve had similar encounters with persons who enter your life for just a little while then they’re gone – no contact whatsoever, your paths never cross again.

Anyway, long story short…

Peter, who was, more or less, the leader of the disciples, is imprisoned and heavily guarded by16 soldiers. Not only that, he is also bound with two chains, flanked by two soldiers and more of them were at the entrance to the prison. There was no escaping for Peter, not that he was trying but even if he tried, he could not possibly get past all those guards.

But God. Nothing is impossible for Him.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. (Acts 12:7 ERV)

“Suddenly”! God is the Master of suddenly.

The angel woke Peter up, the chains immediately fell off, he put on his sandals and got ready to move, no questions asked, he simply complied with the angel’s instructions.

Then the angel said, “Put on your coat and follow me.” (v 8)

With that, Peter was rendered invisible. He, in step with the angel, walked past every single soldier right out of that prison through an iron gate that opened on cue, to the end of the street and when they were far enough, the angel “suddenly left” – no goodbyes necessary, his task was done and he was gone.

Talk about an incredible escape, this is better than any suspense movie.

So Peter, left on his own, walked straight to John’s mother’s house. There, Peter knocked on the outside door. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it (v 13) but even though she recognized Peter’s voice she did not open the door, instead, giddy with excitement, she went back inside the house shouting to those gathered, “Peter is at the door!”

Beloved, has anything so wonderful happen to you that you forget to do the most basic of things?

Perhaps your brother after many years of living abroad comes home to surprise the family, you go to the door, see him or hear his voice and completely forget to open the door and let him in?

That’s exactly what happened to Rhoda. Peter’s return was unexpected even though he was being prayed for.

Since Peter’s arrest, a group of believers had gathered at this same house, praying to God for him. In other words, the church was deep in prayer. Rhoda was probably included in this gathering as a fellow believer because she knew Peter’s voice well.

At first the others did not believe that Peter was at the door and called Rhoda crazy, but she persisted until they took her seriously, meanwhile Peter remained at the door knocking.

When the angel appeared in prison, Peter too did not believe that he was actually being rescued, he thought he was seeing a vision. It was only after the angel left him that he realized what had happened.

Beloved, have you ever been praying about a situation, then God moves so suddenly that you can hardly believe and it’s a moment before you realize that He has taken you out of bondage? 

It’s in times like these that God will place a persistent witness, like He did with Rhoda, to declare your miraculous escape to others.

Peter explained how God had rescued him to those in the house and Rhoda, a mere servant girl, was used by God to witness and testify to the power of corporate prayer. 

God heard the prayers of the church and answered in a mighty way – He sent His angel, chains fell off, a person was made invisible to others, gates opened by themselves and the captive was made free.

Beloved, keep praying knowing that with God nothing is impossible – He can do anything. If there’s a Rhoda in your life right now then look out, God is about to move “suddenly”.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “What about Rhoda?” ©2026 February 24, 2026