“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Hope in suffering comes from focusing on the work and life of Jesus Christ. Peter reminds the persecuted people they will see Him when He returns and rewards their faithfulness. All wrongs will be righted when Jesus returns. Paul defines it as a living hope. The important point is that the glory is not fully revealed until Jesus’ return for His church. Our situations today are preparing us for His glory tomorrow.
Peter focused on the life of Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. The next event on God’s agenda beyond spreading the victory news is His coming again yet, we are not left alone in this present life. He is with you, though you don't see Him.
Napoleon Bonaparte referred to the mystery of Christian’s affections to an unseen Christ. He recounted how his soldiers fought bravely as long as they saw Him in the field, but as soon as He was unseen, their courage weakened and met with defeat. Millions of Christians in this world have not literally seen Jesus, but are devoted with passionate zeal to their savior.
Peter was one who did see Jesus. He had the privilege of walking with Him, hearing His voice, seeing His miracles, witnessing the resurrection with his own eyes and touching Him. He was a witness to the living Son of God.
Even though people do not see Jesus in His physical body, yet they love and believe in Him and that brings joy. Peter recognized their love and faith. This was based on a relationship with the living Christ, not on that which is seen, but unseen. Jesus promised that very thing when He was standing with Thomas in the upper room following His resurrection. Thomas would not believe He was alive without seeing Him with his own eyes. Jesus was frank, “You believe because you have seen me, Blessed are those who do not see me yet believe.”
We have many eyewitness accounts of the living Lord after His death. Peter wanted to encourage the persecuted people with the faith that He is alive. By believing in Christ, they have received the very goal of faith which is salvation for eternity.
Application: Let God work. Trust His love, His promises, and His power.
Prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for the truth of the victory in Jesus as passed on to us by the Apostles in Your Word and experienced by the inner work of the Holy Spirit.
