In our last study we considered the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 7:38 that out of his (Christ’s) “belly would come rivers of living water.” The type was the rock in the wilderness which poured forth its waters to the thirsty congregants. This happened twice. At first it was struck with the rod and the other time all you had to do was ask. This in turn is likened to the two outpourings of the Holy Spirit in the first century and in the Kingdom age.
Our Load said, “He that endures unto the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). Life is a journey, and it makes me wonder why some stay the course and others wander off. What makes some successful in a life of faith, patiently enduring, while others fall away? We all have the same temptations. We all go through trials and tribulations. Have you ever found yourself questioning, why am I doing this? Why am I here? I do.
Passover had just completed, and Jerusalem was aglow with the light from a full moon. Among its back alleys, a furtive figure, escaping notice from passersby, made his way amidst the darkness of the night. Nicodemus, a man of the Pharisees, a ruler of the Jews, was on a mission to question the young teacher from Nazarene, Jesus. He, along with his colleagues in the Sanhedrin, had seen the miracles which he did. They had heard of many more wonders and how the common people believed1 that he was the Messiah. The signs were undeniable, but his teaching was unexpected and suspect.
Last Sunday during the morning class when we were doing the readings it was mentioned that Achan, the man who caused great trouble for Israel when he took certain treasures from Jericho, acted upon the things of the world. That is, his sin followed the pattern given to us by John in 1 John 2:16,
"For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world."
There are many themes or repeated words throughout 1 Peter as you’ll see on Chart 8 of your handouts.
We’ve seen over the past two classes some very specific exhortations which have nonetheless been very helpful for us. The basic principles and examples are all ones that we must apply in our individual cases. But now, at 4:7 the exhortation turns general again as he talks to the household of faith and keeps on with his message of the fiery trials before the eternal glory.
In the last class Peter gave a couple of examples where it was important for believers to be submissive even if it meant innocent sufferings. First there was subjection to governments and the laws of the land. Second was servants to masters. At the heart of this was the example of the sufferings of the Messiah, who did no sin, yet committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. Now Peter continues “likewise” with wives being in subjection to their own husbands.
As we begin this section running from chapter 2:1-10 we will see some very similar teaching from the last class. This is because they are parallel in teaching. We have all ready mentioned Peter’s ability as a great teacher in his methodical repetition but he shows another great technique in presenting both a positive and negative side. It seems to be an aspect of our minds that we learn best when presented with comparisons, light and dark, cold and hot, etc. We will see that that is what he does here. Let’s look at the similarities between 1:13-25 and 2:1-10.
The first time that Peter met Jesus is recorded for us in John 1:42. Andrew, Peter’s brother, had already put it into his ear that he was about to meet the Messiah. Expectations were high. As they enter the room Jesus looks steadfastly on Peter, catches his eye, and says, “Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas.” That’s all that is recorded of their first meeting but imagine the impression it must have made on Peter.
