To me some of the most fascinating aspects of scripture can be found in the smallest details. Take the following for example. Peter has just been saved from prison by an angel of the Lord. His appearance to many of the believers is so astounding that they can hardly believe it and their response is apparently loud and boisterous. Then, we read, "(Peter) motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison..." (Acts 12:17a). Just how crucial is it for us to know that Peter silenced the others with a wave of his hand? All things considered this would seem to be a detail of very little importance.
Maybe, and maybe not. I have said on more than one occasion that writers like Luke (who also wrote the book of Acts) were not inclined to waste words. If they share a detail with us we should be attentive to it. Why then would Peter gesture to quiet the others? For one thing, what he had to say, the news that he wanted to share with them, was far more important than the hubbub they were causing. Peter's gesture told them to hush up. I think it is telling us the same thing. We have a great number of concerns competing for our time and attention. The word of God should not have to be one of them. When the word of God is present we should let go of everything else that is going on.
My senior high school English teacher would sometimes drop a long metal bar in the classroom. The loud clanging was intended to get us to stop talking and to listen to him. The word of God deserves even more attention. Peter's simple gesture told his friends just what it tells us, to listen and hear the good news. God is at work in the world and we've got to be quiet sometimes or we are going to miss it.
Prayer: O God, by whose hand we are guided through life, forgive us when we fail to listen to you. Quiet the other sounds around us so that we may know your will and the good news of your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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