Thursday 23 April 2026

Psalm 33:1-12

Background
The Sadducees, mentioned in verse 17, were the party of high priests, aristocratic families and merchants – the wealthier elements of the population. They emphasised adherence to the Torah (the written religious law). The Sanhedrin was the Jewish legislative and judicial council, which acted as a supreme court.

In Acts we find several instances where apostles were miraculously freed from prison. In this incident, after the apostles have been arrested for preaching the gospel, an angel opens the prison doors during the night, leads them out and instructs them to carry on witnessing (ie talking about Jesus). Later, in Acts 12, Peter is in prison awaiting execution. While the local Christians were in earnest prayer for him, an angel woke him, released his chains and led him past two guard posts and out through an iron gate which opened for them. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns when there was an earthquake which opened all the doors and loosened all the chains.

Although these people were released from prison, we must remember, however, just how many of the apostles, including later Peter and Paul themselves, were executed for speaking openly about Jesus' message.

The Greek word for angel is ἄγγελος (pronounced ángelos) and it literally translates as 'messenger'. We tend to think of angels as the winged characters in nativity plays or as they are portrayed in stained glass windows but, clearly they would have to appear on earth usually in the form of humans to be able to carry out their role. The Bible presents angels as supernatural spiritual beings, and that has been taught by the Church, and it is reflected in liturgy and in hymns. There are a few who believe that angels are in fact humans through whom God’s Spirit is working.

The apostles are bold. Having been released from prison, they go straight back to teaching in the Temple courts despite having been given strict orders not to teach about Jesus. They are willing to defy the authorities to carry out God’s will.

To Ponder:

• Have you experienced or witnessed a miraculous event?
• How do you envisage angels?
• Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose whether to obey God or human authorities?

Prayer
Loving God, make us more aware of just how wonderful this world is and how much more there is to it than we are conscious of. Help us to be open to your messengers in whatever form they come to us. Amen.

Bible notes author: Philip Sudworth
Philip is a local preacher in the Wigan Circuit. Having retired from a career in the education service, he’s kept busy with voluntary work. He has had articles on faith published in seven countries. Grandchildren have given him renewed insights into awe and wonder, love and trust. Frequent questions remind him that anyone who thinks he has all the answers hasn’t yet found half the questions.