Leaders who strut around, basking in the glory of power. Hungry crowds begging for sustenance from the government, and willing to follow anyone who would feed them. These things are as old as the Roman Empire and as new as this morning’s headlines. And it’s easy for Christians to get caught up in the drama and urgency of politics. But this passage should help us put all worldly claims of power into perspective. For here we find that it is not earthly kings who are really in charge, but God alone.

Yes, the crowds from Tyre and Sidon knew that they were dependent on Galilee, the area ruled by Herod Agrippa, for their food supply. So it’s no wonder that they came to his capital at Caesarea to try to get back in his good graces. It’s even understandable that they would hail him as a god and not as a man (12:20-22) – after all, many people continue to worship the state in various ways even today, looking to the government to provide all their needs.

But back in 11:27-28, we learned Who is really in charge of the world’s food supply. For God told His prophets that He was going to send a famine on the whole of the known world, a famine that actually came to pass. So, no matter what the crowd said to Herod Agrippa, he would not have been able to give them the food they craved. And the first part of this chapter reminds us that he wasn’t even able to keep Peter in prison (12:3-10). And in fact he wasn’t even able to keep himself alive – God struck him down because of his arrogance and pride (12:23).

So, does it really make sense for anyone to expect the state to solve all our problems? After all, that’s not what the new Christians in Antioch did. No, even though they knew they themselves would be adversely affected by the coming famine, they took up a collection to help those in Judea who would find themselves in even greater need (11:29). And we would do well to follow their example, helping one another out in our difficulties, instead of worrying so much about what politicians think and say and do. For it is not government policies and programs that cause the Word of God to increase and multiply, but simply Christians showing and sharing the love and truth of Jesus (12:24).

Acts 12:18-25 (ESV)

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.
21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.