Glory Follows Suffering

Scripture:

1Pet. 1:10   Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, ¹¹ inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look!

Observation:

Peter brings the Old Testament prophets into the story, reminding his readers that there are those who have, in the past, prophesied about the grace that was to be extended in and through the life of Christ. The prophets of old were able to do careful search because the Spirit of Christ was within them. Again, Peter is constantly drawing attention to the Triune God, and in this case, the fact that the Spirit bears witness to Christ. 

The prophecy included an understanding that the Messiah would have to suffer before being glorified. This pattern was to become a pattern for God’s people, because they were already suffering under persecution from the government. “Neither Christ nor his people receive the crown of glory without the crown of thorns” (Davids, NICNT). Despite their suffering, they are a privileged people for they will experience glory. Coming to Christ was not the end of the journey, but just the beginning. Believers are now given new birth into the living hope of Jesus Christ.  

Those who had gone before had been faithful prophets, not for themselves, but to serve the future generations. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the scriptures along with the subsequent good news can be believed. This is so amazing that even the angels in heaven look down in awe! Davids tells us that “Peter locates salvation as something old, traditional, and valuable.” (ZIBBCNT)

Application:

These few verses pack a lot of theological understanding. First of all, there is a validation of the inspiration of the Old Testament. That which we study from the past, is relevant to the future. We can trust the scriptures to reveal Christ to us. That’s why it’s so important for us to be spending time in the Word. John Wesley described his own time in Bible study:

Here then, I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his Book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of lights: ‘Lord, is it not thy Word, “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of the Lord?”…Thou has said, “if any man be willing to do thy will, he shall know.” I am willing to do, let me know thy will. (Wesley’s Works, Vol. 1, 105-1076)

Second there is an understanding that the presence of the Spirit inspires and reveals Christ. Even the angels in heaven are amazed at this! This becomes a promise for all of us that we, too, can live inspired by the Spirit of God. When we sit down to the read the word, just as Wesley mentioned, “God is here.” Therefore, we can read the word and be inspired for life, for this is the living word of God, and in the pages we find the revelation of the living Son of God. 

Finally, we find a pathway for our lives in and through the life of Christ. There is a great promise for all of God’s children that we have to embrace. Life will not always be easy, but there is the promise of heaven. I remember one day talking to my dad about the hope of heaven, and he quickly corrected me and said, “no, it’s a promise.” The older he got the more he hung onto that promise. 

For a long time Christianity was focused on getting out of here and getting to heaven. The pendulum has now swung in the other direction where the focus is on making changes here on earth as a part of the kingdom of heaven. That is wonderful and we are to be engaged in the mission now, but we can’t be so focused on the earthly, that we forget the heavenly promise. The reality is that we are not God and we can’t fix everything here on earth. When I come to the end of my abilities, I want to be able to focus on what God has to offer. Glory will come, even if now we have to suffer. 

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to live into the balance of engagement here and now, and resting in the promise of what is to come. Amen.