November 22
Ezek 44:1-45:12 | PS 119:17-32 | Prov 28:8-10 | 1 Peter 1:1-12
I enjoyed the first two episodes of the third season of "The Chosen", which I saw in the theater. In one scene, as Jesus was going to send out the twelve in groups of two, to preach the kingdom of God, and with power to heal and cast out demons, the apostles look at Him incredulously. We forget as we go through Scripture just who these men were. They were not members of some elite upbringing. They were just ordinary men who were called by their King. Up to this point they had listened to Jesus preach and witnessed Him perform miracles. We have to understand that in those days a disciple didn't just learn from their Rabbi, they sought to become like Him in every way. We need to remember this. God has not chosen us because of our pedigree, our education, our special skill set. What He desires is a willing heart on our behalf, and the persistence to stick with Him in the midst of trials, as we learn to grow and become more like Him, and step forth in Him in boldness.
We read in 1 Peter 1:6-7, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,". A goldsmith will heat gold until all the dross is burned away. He knows when this has occurred when he can see his reflection in the burning metal. Likewise, we will be placed in the midst of fiery trials in order to allow the dross which prevents us from following Him completely is burnt away, all the while more and more of Christ wil be seen in us through the process. Peter, the one writing this letter, began his journey as a fisherman who told Jesus to go away, since he believed he was so unworthy that he was beyond repair, as we read in Luke 5:8, "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”" But over time Peter probably saw himself stronger than he actually was, when we read in Matthew 26:33, "Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”" Soon after he went on to deny Jesus, then was restored in John 21. He went on to lead the group at Pentecost, and follow Jesus in the midst of many trials, to the point at the end of his life when he is now writing this letter.
Like Peter, we all have a path. Anyone who tells you that it is all smooth, without trials, etc. is misinforming you. Peter could not become who Peter was meant to be without his path. The same could be said of Paul and every other character in Scripture. The same is also true for us. Trials are inevitable. There will be times that we rise. There will be times that we falter. But like our own children, these are all necessary on the path to maturity. The point is, through it all, may we never take our eyes off the Father. As we slowly lose our self, He will see more and more of His reflection in us. We might not understand what we are given, or our path, but we are in good company, as we read in 1 Peter 1:10-12, "Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: