Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Extending the Gospel

]1 Peter 1:13-25
“‘All flesh is like grass,’” we read this morning from 1 Peter, “’and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ 
That word is the good news that was announced to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25). Using a quote from Isaiah 40:8 the writer of 1 Peter essentially claims the prophet’s words as a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ, extending the gospel back into the history of Israel. From a Christian perspective this is very appropriate. As the gospel of John reminds us, “In the beginning was the word…” (John 1:1). Now 1 Peter is using Isaiah to demonstrate the eternal nature of what has always been.

We are approaching the season of Advent, a time when our attention is drawn to the coming of Christ, both as a baby born in Bethlehem and with the dawning of God’s reign. Our culture would like to distract us with lights and sounds and consumer goods, but that same culture, like the grass of the field, will wither and fade. God’s word, God’s will, God’s way continue forever, from the beginning to the end, as the alpha and the omega. 1 Peter helps us remember that there is but one word, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Anything else is destined to fade.

Prayer: Lord God, your good news is everlasting and eternal. Help us to live according to your word and to but our confidence in your alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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