 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Born Again to a Living Hope 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Called to Be Holy 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. Meditation The grace of God makes Christians alive together with Christ, born again to bear the fruit of a transformed life. In a world of problems and persecution, hope fertilizes faith for fruitfulness. Peter is writing persecuted Christians (“elect exiles”1) suffering for their faith in Asia Minor, seeking to strengthen them through celebration of the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ. A living faith will fully hope in the person, power, and promises of Jesus. God’s merciful and gracious work has caused Christians to be “born again to a living hope, an inheritance… kept in heaven” for all who believe. God’s power guards us so we can be glad, even in persecution and problems, knowing Jesus will return in glory (3-9). As the prophets spoke of the grace of our salvation (10-12), so the promises of Jesus are true. Christians, then, set our hope on the grace that will come in the final revelation and return of Jesus Christ (13). Living hope bears the fruit of a transformed life, shaped by what has been done in Christ and by the things to come at His return. As God’s children, this looks like obedience manifest in holiness (13-17), knowing we are secure in the blood of Christ (18-21) and grounded in the word of Christ (22-25). Christian hope is alive because Jesus is alive, resurrected from the dead. Had Jesus remained in the tomb, hope would be dead too. Jesus has risen from the grave, so hope rises also to fertilize our life to bear holy fruit for our Savior. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you about hope in today’s reading? -Is your hope alive, bearing fruit of holiness through a transformed life? -Notice there are NO imperatives in the first twelve verses, only statements and celebration of our identity in Christ because of God’s work through Christ. How does the indicative reality of Christ’s finished work fertilize your hope for fruit of holiness? Where does this need to be cultivated more in your life? Be specific. Key Verse 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… Comments are closed.
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