1 Peter 1:10-12

The two long sentences that make up this week’s passage are befuddling if you skim over them quickly. Pastor Dave helpfully camped on the main idea of the passage – prophecy fulfilled.

God the Father could have sent His Son to earth out of the blue, with no advance notice. But our gracious God did not do that. Long centuries before the Messiah appeared on earth, God revealed His plan of salvation to prophets – not details like a name and dates but the essentials. Those prophecies gave hope to God’s people living in the times of the prophets. Those prophecies fulfilled strengthen the faith of God’s people living in the church age, as the apostle Peter emphasizes. Thank God for the grace He showed by preparing the way with prophecy and validating the truth with fulfillment.

I have seen Bibles with a well-worn New Testament and a pristine Old Testament. I think Peter would say, “That should not be!” Ask the Lord to help you read regularly in the Old Testament, even the intimidating or confusing parts. Ask Him to help you read and understand the Old Testament through a New Testament, gospel lens.

Prophecy was revealed by God, but its fulfillment is revealed by God too. Think of the many generations of Jews who have read the prophets but remained blind to the fulfillment in Jesus. Showing an unbeliever, “He was pierced for our transgressions,” (Isaiah 53:5) alongside, “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him,” (Luke 23:33) will convert the unbeliever only if God has opened his or her spiritual eyes. As you share the gospel with others, remember to pray that the Lord will reveal truth to them.

A used goods drive will take place Saturday morning in our parking lot. The donated goods stock the thrift store that provides crucial revenue to the Orange County Foster Care Auxiliary. This event is a reminder to pray for foster children – modern-day orphans – in our community and the foster families who provide caring homes for them.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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