1 Peter - Following Jesus Sample

Peter’s readers are filled with joy, even in the midst of their sufferings. They love Jesus and they are receiving his salvation. In today’s verses Peter has more to tell his friends about this salvation. He wants them to see more of the wonder of the gospel.

When you are suffering, it is easy to wish you were somewhere else. Peter wants his friends to see how blessed they are to be exactly where they are. How blessed they are to know Jesus and all he has done! The great prophets of Old Testament days knew something about the Christ who was coming. But Christians know so much more!

In verses 10–11, Peter tells us some remarkable things about these prophets of long ago. He tells us that the Spirit of Christ was speaking through their words. The Spirit in them told of the grace which Christ would bring to believers. The Spirit spoke too about Christ’s sufferings and the glories which would follow.

• Who were these Old Testament prophets serving (v. 12)?

These prophets wrote about the Messiah, they longed to know more about him, but they never knew Jesus themselves. Peter says that their words about the coming Messiah were not written to help them. These prophets were writing to serve Christian believers.

And their words do help us. It is very reassuring to know that God planned his great salvation so long ago. It is reassuring to know that everything God planned is on track. Christ’s suffering was not a surprise; it was not an accident. God said it would happen and it did. God said that glories would follow, so we can be sure of that too – for Christ and for us.

• So, as we read the Old Testament, the Spirit is pointing us to Jesus. How else is the Spirit pointing people to Jesus now (v. 12)?

Peter says that God sends his Holy Spirit from heaven to speak through human preachers of the gospel. When you heard the gospel message, you heard a human person speaking. But God’s Spirit was also at work in that encounter. That is an amazing thought. It was the Spirit himself who pointed you to Christ and his gospel of grace.

Even angels long to know more about this glorious gospel. How hugely privileged we are to know it!

Pray

Ask God to help you appreciate how privileged you are to know Christ and his salvation.