The Resistance - Day 02
Day 02: Tuesday, January 31
Read 1 Peter Chapter 2
Highlight
Peter, the author of 1 Peter, is constantly referring back to stories and teachings from the Old Testament. Those stories enrich the things that Peter is saying, adding tremendous weight and depth. In Chapter 2, one such example is when Peter says in verse 9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” This is a reference to Exodus 19:5-6, the culmination of the promises God made to save Israel from Egypt and bring them out into freedom. There also God calls the Israelites a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
What is so important about this passage is that Peter is making a major point about the purpose of Christians being in the world but not of it. A priest, especially in the context of the Ancient Near East, acted as the mediator or representative between a god and someone else. But if everyone in Israel and every follower of Jesus is a priest, then that means they aren’t mediating for other priests… They are acting as a representative between God and the world. Over and over again in 1 Peter you will see this play out. Consistently Peter will say that the reason to do good works and to endure suffering well is for the sake of the world. It’s so that people will see our hope and be inspired to pursue God themselves.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration: Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession: Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication: Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read 1 Peter Chapter 2
Highlight
Peter, the author of 1 Peter, is constantly referring back to stories and teachings from the Old Testament. Those stories enrich the things that Peter is saying, adding tremendous weight and depth. In Chapter 2, one such example is when Peter says in verse 9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” This is a reference to Exodus 19:5-6, the culmination of the promises God made to save Israel from Egypt and bring them out into freedom. There also God calls the Israelites a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
What is so important about this passage is that Peter is making a major point about the purpose of Christians being in the world but not of it. A priest, especially in the context of the Ancient Near East, acted as the mediator or representative between a god and someone else. But if everyone in Israel and every follower of Jesus is a priest, then that means they aren’t mediating for other priests… They are acting as a representative between God and the world. Over and over again in 1 Peter you will see this play out. Consistently Peter will say that the reason to do good works and to endure suffering well is for the sake of the world. It’s so that people will see our hope and be inspired to pursue God themselves.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
- What truth does this passage communicate about God? About us? About our world?
- Has God used this passage to highlight something that is wrong in your life?
- What does this passage teach us to do? What is one practical thing you can do to apply this to your life?
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration: Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession: Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication: Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in The Resistance