Mary & Rhoda

When Peter realizes that he is freed from his prison cell, he goes to the house of Mary. (Acts 12:-17)  He knocks at the gate and a servant girl named Rhoda comes. Hearing Peter's voice, she left him at the gate and returned to the group of believers telling them Peter was at the gate. They refused to believe her telling her she was crazy or that she just heard Peter's spirit.  Rhoda was persistent and Peter was finally let in where he told the believers the miraculous story of his deliverance.

What do we know about Mary and her family? 

Mary was the mother of Peter's companion, John Mark. Her home was where many believers gathered together to pray for Peter's release. This possibly was a house church and Peter knew he could go to Mary's home after his release. She had a servant girl named Rhoda, who we imagine to be a young teen girl based on her reaction: she forgets to let Peter in the gate! 

We see that the group of believers are still together, still praying for Peter. Mary was using her home to not only serve people in this time of need for praying for Peter, but also was using it selflessly as it was the middle of the night. What an example of hospitality that we can learn from. Do you ever tire of serving? Are you ever impatient for company to leave when the day is drawing late?  Let's remember to use what we have for God's glory and His purpose.