1 Peter 3:18-22

1 Peter 3:18-22 

English Standard Version 

  There's a few things going on here -- the Bible is great in that way, in that it's often operating at different levels.  It speaks to us in human terms, teaching us how to live among one another in peace, with grace -- this is the horizontal aspect.  It also helps us understand how we relate to God -- this is the vertical aspect.  As with everything in the Bible, these two aspects intersect most fully at the cross, where Jesus' perfect humanity and the fullness of his divinity combine to make him the one perfect sacrifice that enables him to bring us to God -- his human death brought us to life.

  Peter also talks about Jesus going and proclaiming to the spirits in prison, referring to those who have died beforehand.  You may have a lot of questions here.  I, also, have some questions.  You may wonder exactly what happened.  I, too, wonder what happened.  I don't have a good answer.  I don't know that we do.  But what we can say is that Jesus' sacrificial death is likely far more dynamic than we can understand.  Death is tearing apart the fabric of creation, and God is working to sew those back together, to restore us to life, and perhaps that works in many different directions and likely in ways we don't fully understand.  

  I don't know what happened, but I give thanks that we worship a God who makes the effort to save, to liberate, to bring us into the same heaven where we were formerly unworthy to go!

1 Peter 3:13-17

1 Peter 3:13-17 

English Standard Version 

  This makes me think of Superman's fortress of solitude.  I don't remember the details, but I grew up on Christopher Reeve as Superman and remember him visiting the fortress of solitude, a safe and quiet place.  Peter is sort of urging us to have the same thing in the center of our being, formed out of the knowledge that we are loved and protected by God.  When we truly believe that the only thing death can do to us is make us better, and when we pair that with the knowledge that we are ultimately loved by the God who created the universe and holds all things together in God's powerful right hand, then we need not fear the storms that rage and the winds that howl and the things that go bump in the night.  

1 Peter 3:8-12

1 Peter 3:8-12 

English Standard Version 

  I deeply wish every single politician in this country would read this section of Peter's letter.  We all read the words 'Do not repay evil for evil' and think, "As soon as [insert opponent here] does that, then I'll back down."  Peter is telling his listeners (and us) to take the first step.  Concede something graciously, even to your most strident opponent.  When tempted to do evil, because they probably deserve it or because they did it first or because it's Wednesday or whatever, bless.  Let us lead one another away from evil by walking away from it first. 

  Yes, it's incredibly risky.  Yes, you might not 'win'.  But that's not the point.  There aren't any trophies given away for being the one to sustain a grudge match the longest.  Let us be gracious to a fault, not afraid of losing face because the God who created the universe already loves you with all the love that can be.  This God cannot and will not think less of you, and by taking the first step in grace, perhaps we can invite someone else to take a look at the love of God working in and through us.

1 Peter 2:18-25

1 Peter 2:18-25 

English Standard Version 

  Isn't it interesting that Paul is writing to a congregation that includes servants as well as those who are wealthy?  The church brought people together from every facet of life.  We should ensure the church continues to be a place where people from every walk of life are welcome.  

  I don't envy Paul.  The Gospels are written in such a way that they're easily presented to a general audience.  They present a summation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, with the focus on presenting the truth of the matter.

  When it comes to Paul, he is writing letters to specific congregations about specific things.  He's addressing certain controversies and is intimately aware of the details of the situation, and he's speaking directly to that.  There's so much we don't see, and we miss much of the nuance, because we don't understand the culture as well.

  Regarding Paul's words on servants, I think we have to be careful to listen to what Paul is saying to us today.  I do think in other places Paul makes slavery untenable, for he calls all parties to treat one another with selfless love, which makes the thought of owning another human being impossible.  When we look into the Gospel and begin to see how we fall short, and yet are loved, it's impossible to mistreat another person, because we know that despite our failings, we are loved and welcomed with grace.  Should we not then treat one another with infinite love, grace, and patience?  There simply isn't room to mistreat or abuse another when we have grasped the fullness of the Gospel, and all we can do is occupy ourselves with selflessly serving one another.