Easter 3: Second Reading, 1 Peter 1:17-25

We’re going to look at the end of this reading for our meditation today. In last week’s second reading we were told in chapter one, verse three of 1 Peter, that our new birth was grounded in the resurrection of Jesus. Today we’re blessed with the declaration that we have received our new birth through “the living and abiding word of God” (1:23). The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament is often referred to as the fifth gospel because of its strong look forward into the future work of the Lord. So Peter goes there to surround us with the further comfort of knowing that God has been thinking this through for a long, long time.

In verses 24 and 25 of our chapter Peter quotes from Isaiah 40 which begins with God declaring through the prophet that His people were to be comforted in knowing their warfare with sin had ended. And ended by the mighty hand of the Lord. Isaiah then gives a wondrous view of the coming of the Savior-God who will redeem His people. Isaiah nearly bursts when God gives him instruction to cry out. And so he does and that is what Peter brings forward under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Take a moment and read verses 24 and 25 of 1 Peter 1. Then perhaps go back to Isaiah 40 and read it in its original context.

What’s the contrast that Isaiah and Peter propose? The transient and temporary nature of man on earth, with the eternal nature of the word of God. And where our earthly nature which includes our frail bodies, is given through means of parents who are both temporary, our heavenly birth comes directly from a word that is alive now, always has been, and ever will be. Notice verse 25 closes the section with saying that we should not miss that this word is the gospel. I will have God’s gift of life forever precisely because He is forever.

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1. When you think of living forever, what most grabs your thoughts?
2. This passage from 1 Peter 1 exalts the word of God. What are a couple steps you and I can take each day to exalt the word of the Lord?