“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1.17-21
How precious is the blood of Jesus? How necessary for our salvation? How important for our souls? Peter tells us just exactly how significant this blood is for us. As we live out “our time as foreigners here with reverent fear,” we do so as a redeemed people.
We do not live as unredeemed, unsaved people. Our redemption, Peter reminds us, comes at a cost. It did not come by things that are temporary like “silver or gold.” The “empty way of life” which was handed down from those before us (i.e. sinful living) was redeemed by Jesus blood — the only sacrifice who had no “blemish or defect.” These Jews would have understood this concept of blood much better than we. They knew a sacrificial system in which Temple worship involved offering near perfect animals to cover the imperfection of their sins
With the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, which had most likely come at this time or was near at hand, those who had to flee Israel understood this way of life of regular sacrifice. Now, Peter was reminding them that their salvation came through a final sacrificial Lamb, Jesus. This Messiah was “chosen before the creation of the world” and was “revealed in these last times for your sake.”
It is only “through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him”, and now our faith in God is complete. The blood of Jesus is not only central to our faith it’s crucial. Without Jesus’ blood sacrifice as a perfect, sinless human being, we could not find redemption.
Today this may sound strange to minds unfamiliar with animal sacrifice and God’s system of redemption. But to these Jews disbursed through the ancient near east, it was like music to their ears. God honored their past traditions, which he originally set before them, and fulfilled his law by giving Jesus — the once and final sacrifice.
Yet, it’s not enough for me to sit here in my comfy chair and read about what God has done for me — no, I must receive it and believe it. I must rest in the fact that my life is a wreck filled with sin and selfish desires. For the unbelieving person, belief is key. We were once held captive to our sin but no more. Now we have faith and hope in Christ as Savior whose blood was spilt for the salvation of all people.
I don’t know about you, but that makes this life not only bearable but meaningful. My purpose has been defined by God in the once and for all act of offering his son upon the cross — I am meant to be restored to a relationship with him. And so are you.
“O Lord God, reading and hearing Peter’s word (I have been listening to 1 Peter in an audio version) is refreshing. Although he speaks in such a foreign concept with ideas from another time, they resonate with me today — a sinner, saved by grace. Come now Holy Spirit, help me digest your Living Word and know the power of your love. I praise you for your sacrifice and give thanks for what you have done to bring all of creation into this right relationship. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen