“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people.”
Peter has always been my favorite apostle. His fallability, his passion, his fear, give me hope that I am not alone in finding the journey of faith a difficult one – even Peter who was with Jesus found it tough.
He gives some lovely solid instructions here, but also makes this intriguing comment:
“For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life… it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. He had been chosen by God before the creation of the world and was revealed in these last days for your sake…
“And now the heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult you. But they will have to give an account of themselves to God. That is why the Good News was preached also to the dead, to those who had been judged in their physical existence as everyone is judged: it was preached to them so that in their spiritual existence they may live as God lives.”
That last sentence is amazing. What does it mean?
Dear Father God, my earthly dad is struggling with a horrible infection. Please give him strength. Please be with M, so that she can deal with all the horrendous stress. Please be with J and L, they have an ordeal ahead of them this week. Please move Your Holy Spirit through our world Father God. Please help me to be loving and kind to all around me so I can be your light in this little corner of the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen