Christ In 1 Peter

      As we follow and learn from Christ, we gain an ever deeper love and appreciation for Him (Phil. 3:10). Early in his relationship with Jesus, Peter made the great confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). However, it is noteworthy to look at the ways in which Peter presents Jesus after following Him for many years and through many trials. Consider what Peter has to say about who Jesus is in the book of 1 Peter.

Jesus is the Foundation of our hope (1 Pet. 1:3-4) – Peter understood that the resurrection of Jesus changes everything (cf. Acts 2:14-41). Because He arose and lives, Christians have a “living hope” and an “incorruptible and undefiled inheritance.” Our hope of heaven really is founded upon the work that Jesus has accomplished for us.

Jesus is the Lamb of God (1 Pet. 1:18-21) – Peter once tried to convince Jesus that His death was neither prudent nor necessary (Matt. 16:21-23). How he must have regretted that occasion as he wrote, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19-20). Without His blood, we could never have been redeemed.

Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:7) – Peter remembered how Jesus used Psalm 118:22 to accuse the leaders of Israel of being “wicked vinedressers” shortly before His death (cf. Luke 20:9-19). If one falls upon Christ in humble submission, he will be saved. However, if one stubbornly refuses to yield, he will be ground to dust by the Chief Cornerstone (Luke 20:18).

Jesus is the Suffering Servant (1 Pet. 2:21-25) – Peter learned a great deal about submission and suffering by watching the trial and execution of his Lord. With his own eyes, Peter had seen how Jesus remained silent and sinless before His accusers, just as Isaiah 53 had prophesied. Christ shows His disciples how to think and act during times of great stress and mistreatment.

Jesus is our Reconciler (1 Pet. 3:18) – When we were sinful, unjust and hostile to God, Jesus suffered for us. He did this because of His love for us (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16), so that He could, “bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). Christians are to arm themselves with the mind of Christ so that we can be like Him, and also in hopes that we might be able to bring others to Him as well (1 Pet. 4:1).

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) – Peter served as an elder in the Lord’s church (1 Pet. 5:1). However, Jesus is the Chief Shepherd who will one day return and properly reward those who have served well in that capacity (1 Pet. 5:2-4). How the church needs to see Christ in its leaders! May we always appreciate the many reasons to serve and exalt Jesus Christ.

Carriage Oaks Church Of Christ