There's Hope In "Hopeless"
Easter 2: Second Reading, 1 Peter 1:3-9
Very much like last week’s Second Reading from Colossians chapter 3, this Sunday’s Second Reading is virtually pregnant with anticipated life. I love the Apostle Peter. Clear thinking. Focused love. Resolve filled with a sense of heavenly destiny. I love this guy. And to think he got his start with boasting and denial. Yep. I love this guy.
In blessing the Father of Jesus Peter declares, “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …” (1 Peter 1:3). Peter was well acquainted with the opposite. We all know it. Have you ever thought of what was going through Peter’s tortured mind while Jesus was being flayed open by Roman whips? If perhaps he was within ear-shot, can you not imagine his heart nearly stopping with each thud of hammer striking nails on their way into Jesus’ flesh? And then witnessing the darkening of the skies at midday on that fateful Friday and earth trembling under his feet? Hopeless. Everything is hopeless!
But Peter’s first letter, and its introduction are anything but hopeless. In fact, hope for Peter is born from a tomb. Life comes from death. And mercy pours out of blood-demanding justice. “Born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” What words can possibly be used to describe the joy that should have gripped our hearts just four short days ago? Take just a second. Has it waned any since?
You see Peter was writing to exiles. Political yes. Ethnic yes. Religious most certainly. But guess the word that aptly describes you and me? Exiles. EXILES. Unless of course this is your home. Unless there isn’t something much greater before you at which you take aim with … hope. You see hope really is found in “hopeless” But we all walk through the bitterness of the one to relish the joy of the other. Born again to a living hope. From a living Savior. God be praised!
- ”Born-again Christian.” The term has been through the ringer in this and previous generations. When you realize that the term describes every Christian and only Christians, what do you think of it?
- Our passage points to the original recipient's experience of “various trials.” When we look at our current situation amidst Covid-19, do you live with hope? If you struggle with that, pray and know you are heard. If you do live with hope, share it today with someone you know.
