Thursday 13th October - 1 Peter 3

Today’s chapter is 1 Peter 3, you can read it here

Tom writes:

In the last chapter we exiles were reminded that we were chosen. In the grubby days of disconnection, that light shines bright in our hearts. But Peter hasn’t just left it there. This beast of a man (I always imagine Peter to have been a big bloke for some reason…) pulls out some of the regular challenges we face when trying to live this truth - and then he knocks them on the head like Little John dispatching a soldier of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Most of the challenges come down to this simple fact - in exile we are surrounded by people who do “people stuff”. Some people, often people to whom we are very, very close, haven’t yet believed the word and are confused by the way we live. Other people, often people who are very closely connected to us, are just plain evil to us. Husbands may be dismissive of our devotions. Bosses may bash us when we are blameless. And while these things hurt, none of these things should make us doubt that we are chosen. Jesus had all of that happen to him… apart from the husband bit… (although his close family did all dismiss him)… and he was literally the Christ - the “chosen one”. Jesus’ pattern of life; his willingness to die in the knowledge that he would be made alive in the Spirit is something that should deeply inspire us. We can always lean back on the shoulder of Jesus, trusting that where he has gone (through suffering and into God-fuelled resurrection), we will follow.

And so we can put up with hardship. We can shut up when we are abused. And more than that. We can show compassion in the midst of it. In exile, even if we manage to persevere in our hope, there is a tremendous temptation to withdraw from all the annoying people doing people stuff. But Jesus didn’t just put his head down and grit his teeth when he was suffering; he lifted his eyes and was continually kind. This kind of equation - you give me all kinds of nasty stuff and I give you all kinds of lovely stuff is only possible if you have the huge vision of God Peter cast in chapter one. And if you are certain that you are chosen like Peter said in chapter two. Jesus had both of those in abundance and he is now seated in the place of all power in the heavenlies. So set him apart in your heart and he will give you all the strength and all the stamina you need.

Question for reflection

When people are not kind to you, how do you respond?