Thursday, July 3, 2014

Thursday, July 3, 2014

1 Peter 1:3-9

Most scholars believe that this epistle was written in the late first century. Members of the early Church were living through difficult and uncertain times. The memory of the destruction of the Temple would have been fresh in the minds of many people. The makeup of the Church was changing. Many of the early followers of Jesus expected him to return quite quickly, so this longer than anticipated wait would have been disheartening and confusing to many. Moreover, followers of Jesus were in many ways not followers of the Emperor. The early Christians emulated Jesus’ example of peace, service, and self-sacrifice, which was in radical opposition to the Roman Empire’s way of exploitation and violence. So deciding to become -- and remain -- a Christian at this time was not something one would have taken on lightly! 

What kept them going? From this letter it seems that they had great faith in the new life inaugurated by baptism. While the present life was dangerous, they held to a hope that existence transcended what they saw, and extended into eternal union with God, something made evident in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. 

To write briefly about my own personal views and spirituality, I must admit that my faith is often heavily-weighted to a ‘this-worldly’ orientation. I can get suspicious around too much talk of the afterlife, especially when it comes at the expense of attention to Jesus’ commandments for the here-and-now, i.e. the Kingdom of God (ON EARTH as in Heaven) that he witnessed to in his teachings and deeds. 

In recent months, though, I have come to know people who have been enduring trials related to their physical health. This has helped remind me that Christian faith should incorporate faith and guidance regarding our lives, both right now on this earth, and in whatever is to come. When all that we know and have is taken from us, whether by force or by illness, we can find great comfort in the reassurance that God journeys with us, and that ultimately, our journeys find completion in God. 

- Matthew Kieswetter