Be Prepared in Hope
1 Peter 1:18-21
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”
C.S. Lewis said, "The work of a Beethoven, and the work a charwoman, become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God of being done humbly as to the Lord. This does not of course, mean that it is for anyone- a mere toss-up whether he should sweep rooms or compose symphonies. A mole must dig to the glory of God and a cock must crow."
Jesus was called to the task of redemption of the elect for the glory of the Father. Peter challenges the suffering church to be prepared by remembering their redemption. It is from the fact that he purchased us that we live for the glory of God with whatever gifts, tasks, and responsibilities that come our way. Be not concerned with material things, for it was not silver or gold that redeemed us, but the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are set free by the payment of a ransom.
When we grasp what it cost God to free us from sin, we all respond with awe and renewed commitment to live a godly life. Think about what He did.
There were some 50 million slaves in that society. If a slave was able to accumulate enough money, he could buy his freedom or, if he had a loving master who would purchase him and grant him freedom, that was the prerogative of that master. The price of the slave had to be paid to the slave owner. The figure of redemption is one who is bought back. A slave could be freed with the payment of money, but no amount of money can set a lost sinner free. Only the blood Jesus Christ can redeem us. He gave His life as payment for us and then set us free from the bondage of Satan.
Peter says that God "raised him (Jesus) up and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."
So, we are to look to Jesus, the author of our faith. He was chosen before the creation of world and revealed now for our sake. The fact that Jesus lived and died and rose again was no after thought with God. This was foreordained before the foundation of the world. This brings us to the place of reverence, of respect, and worship. This gives us hope in an unsettled world. Faith and hope are in God who went to the extreme to redeem us. Faith and hope are not on our works, our religion, or human relationships. The works of Jesus become the anchor that holds us.
