Sixth Sunday of Easter: Epistle, 1 Peter 3:13-22                           

1 Peter 3:13-22

Peter knew what it was to speak for his Lord. Much of what he learned in that arena, I surmise, came from living through the agony of his denials. He had been on that side of the fence. But at the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter was transformed. Now an ardent and seemingly fearless proclaimer of Messiah, Peter knew what it was to stand under pressure and “win.”

It’s important for us to understand that the victory given to Peter was a result of God’s gifting him with necessary boldness. It can come to you and me in the same way. But what Peter had received through the gift of Pentecost, you and I usually and most normally receive through the written Word. Yes, the Word itself is a gift and bears innumerable and precious gifts as well. All for us. What does its reception produce?

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear …” 

1 Peter 3:15

Peter tells us here that we will be called upon undoubtedly to give witness to what we believe. Peter uses the word “defense.” Now don’t think of God as needing us to plead His case. What it speaks to is a strong word to crush, challenge and call. To crush the strongholds of sin by the preaching of the Law. To challenge the mind to consider God’s only solution to our inborn dilemma. And to call the guilty to repent and believe the good news of Jesus.

But Peter adds with meekness and fear. Some translations use “gentleness and reverence.” So our defense is to be made in a winsome and compelling way. Not yelling, screaming or demeaning. But do make a defense, grounded in the gift of God and declared with the fullness of the Spirit and of hope that only Jesus brings.