1 Peter - Following Jesus Sample

Peter is reflecting on Jesus’ resurrection and all that it means. Today’s verses begin and end with this great fact.

• Where is Jesus Christ now (v. 22)?

Peter’s readers are being opposed and threatened. But Peter wants these believers to be clear that the risen and ascended Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Angels, authorities and powers are in submission under him, even though it doesn’t look like that now.

Peter wants to reassure his friends, so he points them to another time in Bible history when evil was raging. In Noah’s day, there were evil spiritual forces at work (v. 20). Then, too, it looked as if God was doing nothing about this wickedness. But God was not careless; God was waiting – waiting patiently until his plan to judge evil and save his people was ready. When Noah had finished building the ark, God kept his promise. Evil was judged. God’s people were saved as the ark rose up to the top of the flood waters.

What about believers now? In our time, too, evil seems to flourish, but Jesus’ resurrection should reassure us. First, Jesus’ resurrection confirms that evil will be defeated and judged. Powers and authorities are in submission to the risen Christ. In verses 19–20, Peter tells us more about some of these powers. He writes of spirits who were disobedient back in the days of Noah. The risen Jesus ‘went and made proclamation’ to these forces of evil. These evil spirits were not destroyed yet but they were imprisoned. It seems most likely the risen Christ declared to them his victory over all evil powers. His resurrection signed and sealed their final destruction.

Secondly, Jesus’ resurrection means that we will be saved. In verses 20–21 Peter again takes us back to the days of Noah. Coming up through water to salvation, as the ark did, is a picture of what happens to Christians when they are baptised.

Believers are baptised at the start of their Christian life. It is a sign of our salvation. The point of baptism isn’t to wash your body. Peter calls baptism a ‘pledge’. It is an acted-out promise. Baptism is a promise from God that we will have a clear conscience before him on judgment day. God will keep his promise to us, just as he did to Noah.

• This great salvation rests entirely on what Jesus has done. Peter comes back to this point once again. How does salvation come to us (v. 21)?

Our salvation rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Pray

Pray that Jesus’ resurrection would give you great reassurance today.