http://www.unlockingthebible.org/living-hope-through-the-resurrection-of-jesus/ Living Hope through the Resurrection of Jesus 1 Peter 1:1-9 by Pastor Colin S. Smith March 31st 2013 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... 1 Peter 1:3 Here we are at Easter. We hear that Christ is risen, and we believe it. But for many people the real question today is, "What difference does this make for my life today?" Here I am raising a family, with the pressures of my job, or as a student at school. I have a full schedule, I have many responsibilities. I hear that Jesus rose from the dead, that he is alive. That's great for him, but what difference does it make to me? The difference the resurrection makes Peter wrote this letter to people living in towns and cities all across the Roman Empire. You'll notice some of the places they lived: "To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1). If you had been around at the time, you could have gone and knocked on their doors. This is a letter to real people living in real places. Look at what Peter says about these people and see if you would want to be like them:"You... rejoice with joy that is inexpressible" (1 Peter 1:8). Now he is not saying that they should have this joy. He is saying that they do have it. These people are rejoicing with an inexpressible joy. There aren't words to convey the joy they have found! More than that, they are filled with love and with faith: "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible" (1 Peter 1:8). Peter had seen the Lord. He had been a disciple, and he followed Christ for three years. But the people he writes to here had never seen Jesus. They were people like us. They were not in Nazareth or Capernaum or Jerusalem in the time of Jesus. They had never seen Jesus. But they loved him! More than that, they believed in him, and they were filled with an inexpressible joy. You might be thinking, "Who are these people?" What is going on in their lives that they have all this joy and faith and love for Jesus? Are they enjoying an idealized life playing golf in the Mediterranean? No! Their faith was being tested: "You have been grieved by various trials" (1 Peter 1:6). They've been grieving! Facing all kinds of trials, they've found strength to endure. They love Christ. They have great confidence in him, and they're filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy! Is there anything in your life that corresponds to this? Are you like these people? I read this, and I say to myself, I want more of what these people had. I want to be more like this. Don't you? Often in the church today, we have become used to such a low level of spiritual life, that when we read of Christians filled with joy they can't put into words, it's hard for us to take this seriously...
