Written by: Carol Bechberger
Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[b] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
During this season of remembrance of Jesus’ awesome love, I remain amazed. His compassion, his concern for all of us brings tears to my eyes. But did you ever stop to think that His great sacrifice did not begin with Gethsemane? No, His sacrifice began the day He was born into a human body in Bethlehem.
Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[b] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
During this season of remembrance of Jesus’ awesome love, I remain amazed. His compassion, his concern for all of us brings tears to my eyes. But did you ever stop to think that His great sacrifice did not begin with Gethsemane? No, His sacrifice began the day He was born into a human body in Bethlehem.
Think about all He gave up. There was such great peace and beauty in His heavenly home. He heard the angelic choirs singing. He knew no physical pain. I don’t believe there is even any dust in this heavenly place. He came into a mortal body, with all the accompanying problems. All those chemicals and special wiring that give us our personality and our emotions were also a part of Him. What lead us humans to react emotionally and illogically He overcame.
Jesus saw the violence of the people and the suffering. People had forgotten to love and have compassion. People become too involved with their daily distractions. He came to touch our lives and awaken us to His glorious plan. He gave up His heavenly home because He loves us so much. He had a mission to fulfill and was committed to carrying out God’s plan for our salvation. As Peter point out, we only have to reach out to Jesus, ask forgiveness and trust in Him.
Thank you Jesus for your awesome love. Thank you Holy Spirit for ministering to us and for choosing me to be part of the family of God. Amen.
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