Following from yesterday’s readings, today we continue with Peter’s first letter. Previously, Peter had challenged believers to experience the joy of such a great faith. His admonishment was to be attentive to the faith received that is more precious than gold. Be attentive to the on-going conversion and live a life for the greater glory of God rooted in that faith.
Today, Peter continues by telling them that this is not simply based on their experience, but that the gift of faith is more. It is the fulfillment of pre-Christian Judaism. When we think about the OT prophets, sometimes they are only remembered for their stern rebukes, but their greatest messages were of a future day of salvation by a promised Messiah. That “day” for which they waited has become, for us, a reality in the coming of Jesus, his resurrection, and the outpouring of the Spirit. Certainly, that is the conviction of the Gospels and other NT writings that cite the messianic oracles from the OT prophets. The prophets of old spoke indeed of grace, of salvation, but the deliverance prophesied did not belong to them but to the Christians reading this letter. However much these readers may be suffering, they stand in a position that even the greatest of the ancient prophets did not have.
The prophets could speak about this time which they did not understand because it was “the Spirit of Christ” in them giving testimony. This testimony of the Spirit had two facets, the order of which is significant: “sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.” (1 Peter 1:11).
What is more, the sufferings of Christ are of special interest to Peter because they parallel the experience of the Christians of his time who were suffering but expected glory later. The glories that follow, then, refer to Christ’s resurrection, ascension, present glorification, and future revelation, in which the Christians expect to participate. The order is critical: the glories follow the sufferings. Neither Christ nor his people receive the crown of glory without the crown of thorns.
Peter’s listeners had not learned about Christ from the prophets, but from preachers of the gospel who, like Paul (1 Cor. 15:1–10), had interpreted Scripture through the events of Jesus’ life. Those believers lived in the “now” of the promised day – one a future event for the OT prophets, but now an “already” event for the early Christian community. The people discovered the true meaning of Scripture because the same Spirit who inspired the prophets, inspired the NT apostles. This is important to Peter for three reasons:
(1) the identity of the Spirit guaranteed a correct interpretation,
(2) the Spirit was the power behind the message, and
(3) the presence of the Spirit among them was the sign that the new age had indeed dawned.
And if that were not enough, Peter offers up the perspective of the angels who have looked upon all this, from the beginning, playing out in salvation history: “things into which angels longed to look.” v.12) The sense is not one of idle curiosity but of a longing to see the fulfillment of God’s promises. Great as the angles are, it was not to them or for them that the fulfillment came. Instead, the day of salvation dawned on these Christians in a way not even revealed to the angels. Although suffering, these believers are a privileged people. And because of this privilege are called to holiness: instead of conforming to this age the Christian is to conform to God. God is the One who is holy.
“Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct.” (vv.14-15)
For Peter this means not only the prayers and rituals of the faith, but also a way of life that is fully reflective of the love of God. Believers are drawn near to him and to be called to imitate Him. And in that way to be a living example of holiness in the world.
It was Peter’s challenge to his time as well as ours. So… how will you be a living example of holiness in the world? You have an audience. The people around and the angels watching from above.
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