1Peter 1: 1 – 9

January 11, 2023

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

“8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29) I remember so well my Sunday school class – a five year old boy, a six year old girl, and a 10 year old boy. It was a challenge each week as how to present information to them as two of them weren’t able to read yet. But I told them one Sunday that there is a verse in the Bible that speaks directly to them. They were very curious about this statement. I read to them St. John 20:29 and explained to them that Jesus was talking about us – none of us has seen Jesus and we believe in Him anyway and because we believe in Him, He blesses us especially. You could see the little cogs and gears working behind their eyes. It was one of those special moments.

Think about it; Jesus is telling us that when we put aside our disbelief in things we cannot see, we open ourselves to the promises He brings us. When we stop ‘leaning to our own understanding’ – 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3), when we let go of our idea of being the center of our own lives, Jesus can come in and bless us and be with us and share His great love with us.

Blessed are we.

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