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17 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.21 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (1 Peter 1:17-23 RSV)
When I was in college, I loved getting mail. Kids, these were the "old days" meaning dcomputersw did nto exist yet for people to use. I suspect there were computers that filled up rooms that could do simple math problems, but the main way to connect with loved ones miles away was to take a piece of paper, a pen, an envelope, a stamp and you began sharing. A letter in my mailbox at the student center was a loving reminder of who I was and where I was from. I could tell by the handwriting if it was from my Mom or my Grandmother. The letter sometimes contained five or ten dollars for me to "buy gum." More importantly it was an event of memory. These were women who loved me and who prayed for me. There was not a single exam or test that I took that was not prayed over. My even being in college as the first member of my family was a huge blessing. I was answered prayer.
Peter as he writes this passage is recalling he is answered prayer and he reminds his readers that they are answered prayers, too. There is a response to that grace shown us by God, Peter writes, "conduct yourslves with fear throughout the time of your exile," meaning your time away from God, and he reminds them they were a precious purchase of God bought not with earthly things, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; Who was more valuable than an unblemished lamb. It is also becasue of Christ Jesus that we have confidence in God which has also given us a new faith and hope in Him. Our souls have been made pure by our obedience, and we should love one another sincerely and from the heart. This is all a part of the spiritual birth, an imperishable birth brought about with God's work made possible by the living and ever present word of God.
Peter wrote us an Easter letter. It's an inviation to the fullness of life that Jesus made possible for us. Why can't we accept it and move on to do the greater work God asked of us?
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the great gift of life through Jesus, and more importantly the blessings of salvation. May we show others the blessings that come from having the right relationship with You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Remind others that it cosst God a lot to get us where we are today; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
