Word@Work 1Pet47 - 1 Peter 3:18b-20a
Published: Tue, 06/30/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT
1 Peter 3:18b-20a He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. (NIV)
Today's passage is among the most difficult in the New Testament. It deals with the time between death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We normally gain understanding by comparing a new fact or idea with others that we already understand. So it is particularly hard to understand what happened when Jesus was dead, because the first Easter was a totally unique event. The only way to know the meaning of these verses is by a careful dissection of the way the Greek words are used in the original. Alas, the short scope of this devotional makes that impossible but you can find a much fuller discussion at Sundoulos.com or in Wayne Grudem's commentary on 1 Peter (p.203).
The uniqueness of Jesus centres on the fact that He was both a man and yet truly divine (fully human and also God in a human body). Although His body was wounded by human cruelty, he committed His spirit to His Father's safe-keeping as He died. But at the resurrection, Jesus had a new body (although still bearing the marks of His wounds from the cross) which was energised by the same Spirit which His disciples recognised as being the Jesus they knew and loved.
Whatever mysteries are contained in today's verses, we will probably not fully understand until we see Jesus face to face. But one thing is certain. The dead Jesus was made alive by the Spirit and He is still powerfully alive. That is really important to followers of Jesus because of what Romans 8:11 says: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." In other words, all those who have the Holy Spirit in them will have His power to help them live the Jesus-life in their bodies now, and physical resurrection when Christ returns. It may seem too good to be true - but it is very good and very true ... you have God's Word!
Prayer: Risen Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit when I repented and received You into my life. I am so glad that I am not alone, for Your Spirit is with me to help me to follow You every day, until I will see you with a new physical body. Help me to live a new sort of life that pleases You, in the strength and wisdom which You supply. For Your glory's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Today's passage is among the most difficult in the New Testament. It deals with the time between death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We normally gain understanding by comparing a new fact or idea with others that we already understand. So it is particularly hard to understand what happened when Jesus was dead, because the first Easter was a totally unique event. The only way to know the meaning of these verses is by a careful dissection of the way the Greek words are used in the original. Alas, the short scope of this devotional makes that impossible but you can find a much fuller discussion at Sundoulos.com or in Wayne Grudem's commentary on 1 Peter (p.203).
The uniqueness of Jesus centres on the fact that He was both a man and yet truly divine (fully human and also God in a human body). Although His body was wounded by human cruelty, he committed His spirit to His Father's safe-keeping as He died. But at the resurrection, Jesus had a new body (although still bearing the marks of His wounds from the cross) which was energised by the same Spirit which His disciples recognised as being the Jesus they knew and loved.
Whatever mysteries are contained in today's verses, we will probably not fully understand until we see Jesus face to face. But one thing is certain. The dead Jesus was made alive by the Spirit and He is still powerfully alive. That is really important to followers of Jesus because of what Romans 8:11 says: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." In other words, all those who have the Holy Spirit in them will have His power to help them live the Jesus-life in their bodies now, and physical resurrection when Christ returns. It may seem too good to be true - but it is very good and very true ... you have God's Word!
Prayer: Risen Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit when I repented and received You into my life. I am so glad that I am not alone, for Your Spirit is with me to help me to follow You every day, until I will see you with a new physical body. Help me to live a new sort of life that pleases You, in the strength and wisdom which You supply. For Your glory's sake. Amen.
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