The Judean king, Herod Agrippa I, had James, the brother of Jesus, killed, then thought he would impress the people by attacking Peter. Boy! What a catastrophe! If you can imagine a king in a Roman jurisdiction dying a miserable and public death and the world’s most powerful leader not being apprised, go ahead. Many kings have pursued people in God’s spotlight but God has not always put his response in the spotlight. After all, what have kings to do with fishermen?

The king and the fisherman in contrast

Chains may not always fall off by direct supernatural intervention nor do wicked rulers always meet an ignominious and painful death, but believers are not poorly served when their lives include persecution and death. The greatest man who ever was born (Luke 7:28) had his head taken off at the request of a girl dancing to please a drunken party (Matthew 14:6-12). The things a king can do to enlightened people pale in comparison to what has happened to them as a result of God’s grace to all people.