Peter wrote this letter during a time when Nero was king. In his opening he writes to mostly non-Jewish believers living in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia). Nero was known for his cruelty and savageness especially to Christians. Foxes Book of Martyrs speaks of Nero sewing Christians up in animals' skins and allowing dogs to attack them until death. He was also known to put Christians in wax suits and attach them to trees to burn them alive for illumination. Nero was insane and barbaric. The theme of Peter’s letter is to have hope during suffering. As we read this week allow the context to illuminate the scriptures to you of Peter’s encouragement.
Maybe you find yourself losing hope in the middle of suffering. I mean why try to follow Jesus in the middle of a perverse dark world one may consider. But what does Peter say?
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13
“…conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things…” 1 Peter 1:17-18
“…love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible…” 1 Peter 1:22-23
He says we can be sober minded, we can conduct ourselves well, and we can love fervently with a pure heart no matter the situation. But how? By looking upon Jesus. By meditating on our redemption because of Jesus. By remembering our salvation is in the incorruptible.
Where is your mind during suffering and turmoil? Where does it go first in the middle of trials? Let it be on Jesus and the gift of grace. On His goodness and His sacrifice. Look up not around.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.