Last week we learned about the hope that we have even in the face of suffering. The words from the Apostle Peter today pick up right on the heels of last week. What if we actually suffer for doing good? For example, you show Christ-like kindness to someone and they respond with spite. Or let’s say you demonstrate humility which you’ve learned from Jesus; then someone calls you naïve or out of touch. These are the trials we face because we belong to and follow a Savior who experienced these trials and much worse. And our response is not to be defensive. Rather, we give our testimony with lives of gentles and respect regardless of the reactions we may receive. And we know why!

Jesus died and rose. He has made his defense for us before the throne of God, and we are declared righteous. He is the way, the truth, and the life for us. He made that declaration over us in our baptism which washed us clean eternally. Therefore, cheer up, dear Christian! Your life is set up to show the world the living Christ. Always be ready in any trial to make a statement about your faith. And the best way to do that is with you life of kindness, gentleness, humility, and respect.

Take the honest approach, and you lose out on some financial advantages as a result.

Try to help a friend in need, and they lash back with unkind words.

Work hard at your job, and people say you’re just angling for a promotion.

Have you ever wondered why those who do good things often suffer for it? It seems so unfair. Worse, it seems God is overlooking the good that you’re doing.

Today the apostle Peter shows us that doing good even when you suffer for it is “commendable before God.” Not only that, he says “you were called to this” when you were called to be Jesus’ disciple. As you follow in his footsteps, you’re following the voice and the footsteps of Jesus. Even as he suffered for it, your Good Shepherd kept doing amazingly good things, bringing eternal life to you and every sinner.

What kind of hope would we have if we lived only in fear? First of all we would only worry about everything. Secondly, our lives still culminate in death. What would we gain? That is why we have Easter! Jesus’ death and resurrection was God’s plan from the beginning! From his first promise in the Garden of Eden, to Jesus’ words of promise and hope while he was alive, to the Scriptures retold by the resurrected Savior on the road to Emmaus, to God’s words of peace and certainty that we still read and hear today. Yes, we will have plenty of reasons for fear and worry on account of our sin and this broken world. But our lives are not left to that alone. Rather, we have been redeemed by the death and resurrection of Christ. And our lives are strange to this world as we, by faith, emulate certainty in God’s plan beyond life in this world.

This Sunday, we saw that since the gospel rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and since his resurrection is a verifiable fact, then the doubts and fears that push against our faith will not topple us. This is not to say that we will never have misgivings or worries. We will. In fact, like Thomas we can be honest about them. Yet pay close attention to where those doubts and fears come to an end. With his words of peace Jesus steps in and deals with the disciples’ fears and Thomas’ doubts, just as he does for you and me.

That is why we can join the Apostle Peter in praising God for the “living hope” that someday we will receive “an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us.” It is true that in this lifetime we will suffer all kinds of trials, yet we trust that they are refining our faith and strengthening our hope. Yes, though we do not see Jesus now, we believe in him and are looking forward to the final salvation of our souls at the Last Day.

Everyone needs hope. Especially when our lives are battered by tragedy and catastrophe, it means everything to have that optimistic outlook that things will get better. Yet will it truly get better? Easter certainly says so. The bodily resurrection of the One who was crucified for us substantiates our salvation, fortifies our forgiveness, and endorses our eternity with God. 

Every Sunday throughout the season of Easter we will grow in our understanding of and appreciation for this Easter blessing through the lens of the Apostle Peter's first epistle. Join us as we explore the gifts that the risen Christ brings! The hope of Easter remains!

Everyone needs hope. Especially when our lives are battered by tragedy and catastrophe, it means everything to have that optimistic outlook that things will get better. Yet will it truly get better? Easter certainly says so. The bodily resurrection of the One who was crucified for us substantiates our salvation, fortifies our forgiveness, and endorses our eternity with God. 

Every Sunday throughout the season of Easter we will grow in our understanding of and appreciation for this Easter blessing through the lens of the Apostle Peter's first epistle. Join us as we explore the gifts that the risen Christ brings! The hope of Easter remains!

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