Scripture: 1
Peter 1:17–25
During this Easter Season the Epistle Readings come from 1
Peter, the author of which was a witness of the resurrection and one of the
first disciples to see the empty tomb. The readings may or may not directly
relate to the other readings of the week, but they do continue the witness to
Jesus’ resurrection. This reading exhorts the reader to examine his or her life
in light of God’s salvation – Jesus’ death and resurrection – so that he or she
might live a life of obedience to God and love for the neighbors. This is, for
us, an encouragement to live as people who are formed by the resurrection,
filled with faith, forgiven in Christ, obedient to God’s truth, and loving
others.
Teaching
The opening words of this reading are, perhaps,
uncomfortable for us. Sometimes people try to explain away fear when it comes
to our relationship with God. They say that this fear isn’t fear in the normal
sense of the word but instead it is awe or respect. That doesn’t really fit,
however, with other statements in Scripture, like Matthew 10:28 when Jesus
says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather
fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” As long as we are in
exile – this time in which we live on earth – we sin, sin always deserves God’s
wrath, and God’s wrath is always fearful.
Instead of rejecting this fear we should see it as one part
of our relationship with God. As Luther says in his explanations to the
Commandments, “We should fear and love God so that,” we might do what God says.
Our sin puts us in fear of God, but his love moved him to give Jesus to die and
rise for us, so we are also moved by love – which is better by far!
Life
Perhaps you remember a time when your parents asked you to
clean your room and you did not. Later with voices raised they may have told
you to clean your room, at which point you jumped to the task. What motivated
you to jump when told (with loud voice) over when you were asked? It is fear –
fear of punishment. Often we are motivated by fear to do what is right. While
that realization might be disappointing, it is reality. As long as our hearts
are tainted by sin, our motives to obey God will always be mixed with fear and
love. We must embrace that and live by God’s grace.
When Jesus returns and we experience our own resurrection,
our hearts will be pure. Then we will do everything out of love – for God and
for others. Until then, we trust in God’s forgiveness and seek to love others
from the purified heart we have by faith in Jesus, knowing that our deeds will
wither and perish with time, but God’s promise stands forever.
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