10. Message in 1 Peter – Number 10 – LET ME SHARE MY FRIEND (1 Peter 3:22)
INTRODUCTION TO THE MESSAGE
{{1 Peter 3:22 “who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”}}
A first hand report carries more weight than any second hand one, especially when the one reporting has a close association with the subject of the report. This was the case with Peter who travelled for three and one half years with the Lord in every situation as an eyewitness of His miracles, His sufferings and His resurrection and His ascension.
Along with the other 10 disciples (I am dismissing Judas), Peter was in a unique position in the whole history of mankind. Twice we are told that Enoch walked with God, this being one of then – {{Genesis 5:24 “Enoch WALKED WITH GOD, and he was not, for God took him.”}}
The same was said of Noah – {{Genesis 6:9 “These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time. Noah WALKED WITH GOD,”}}
Both Enoch and Noah walked with God, but they did not walk and live with God for three and a half years in the closest union, as did the disciples. Just for one moment, think about that. The very God who created the universe (John 1:3 {{“All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being,”}} was the One who lived and walked so many roads and paths in Israel/Judah with His faithful disciples.
Matthew and John were the only disciples to write a Gospel, and Peter was the only one to have written two canonical letters. James the Less, the half brother of Jesus wrote one letter. Not one of those believers bragged about their time with Jesus. They knew themselves to be insignificant, and the One they would honour and serve would be the Lord, for He ALONE is worthy. That is why you find no references promoting the personal disciples in what they wrote.
It is a far cry today when charlatans demonically start talking about their experiences with Jesus, what Jesus is showing them; visiting with them, their time is heaven and special revelations, and all these other inventions. The disciples knew, “I am nothing. He is everything.”
When you write about a friend, what things do you say? Jesus was Peter’s very special Friend with whom he had a personal, unique relationship. What are the highlights you want to share with your readers? It is interesting to focus on what Peter has to say about the person, life and work of the Lord because Peter shared intimately in so much of that.
The only reference to a significantly memorable highlight is found in his second epistle where he recalls the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration. Our confines here are in his first epistle in this series. Here, you will not find one boastful reference; one personal anecdote, or one attempt to bring focus on the writer through any comment associating himself with the Lord Jesus Christ. Some people feel important when they drop famous names or let on how they know a certain famous person. Not Peter. It is humility; it is correctly Christ, and Him alone. But what things would Peter draw attention to?
WHAT PETER WANTED HIS READERS TO KNOW
What one writes is usually tempered by one’s experience in the past where the mind stores what it classes as key events and observations. In 1 Peter certain selections are made as the Holy Spirit taps into that material known so well by Peter. In his letter, the Apostle is recalling what is fundamental for his readers. He wants to set Jesus Christ out clearly.
Firstly, Peter had learnt of the importance of faith in his sometimes stumbling way, and this importance he passes on to his readers. Peter’s faith was often blind, enthusiastic, but not yet properly anchored. This is shown in the following way- :- {{Matthew 14:29-30 and He said, “Come!” and Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus, but seeing the wind he became afraid, and began to sink, and he cried out saying, “Lord, save me!”}}
The other incident is this one – {{Matthew 26:33-34 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a cock crows, you shall deny Me three times.”}}
[A]. NUMBER 1. The IMPORTANCE of FAITH. Now Peter wants to share a mature FAITH that is anchored to the true Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ -
{{1 Peter 1:7-8 “that THE PROOF OF YOUR FAITH, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”}}
The faith of these readers had been tested and that is acknowledged. Peter had loved Christ because he had seen Him and had lived with Him. The readers had not seen Christ but loved Him and rejoiced exceedingly. That is what faith is, what defines it – {{Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the ASSURANCE of things hoped for, the CONVICTION of things not seen,”}}. The conviction of unseen things is what produces hope such as one day entering the Lord’s presence. The Holy Spirit greatly assists in these matters.
Peter draws their attention to the revelation of Jesus Christ (verse 7). What was that going to mean to Peter when he would be reunited once more with his blessed Lord? Think about that for a moment. It was not to be through rapture but through death, that that time would be accomplished as he shares in the second letter. For about 31 years he had been physically separated from his Lord, and awaits his own revelation with patience (1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:4). What a scene that would have been in heaven as Peter was reunited with his Saviour!
A similar, but naturally different revelation of glory awaits each of us and Peter, shares that coming day with his readers as they go to meet Peter’s Friend, each in turn.
This is the start of one of my poems:-
TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY
To be absent from the body,
To be present with the Lord;
To be robed in linen garments
With eternal life unflawed.
I will then be in His presence,
Where the saints of God will shine,
And that blessed sinless pleasure -
O, that joy will then be mine.
Next, Peter speaks from three years of personal experience when he says:-
[B]. NUMBER 2. THE LAMB OF GOD, the sacrifice for sins.
{{1 Peter 1:19 “but with precious blood, as of A LAMB UNBLEMISHED AND SPOTLESS, the blood of Christ.”}}
Peter, along with the other 10, did not know what was happening on the Golgotha morning, but after the resurrection certain things happened. Firstly, this verse was being fulfilled – {{John 14:26 “but the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, AND BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THAT I SAID TO YOU.”}}
Secondly, Jesus taught His disciples for 40 days. They came to understand Jesus as the Lamb of God and His sacrifice for redemption. This is what Peter wanted to share in this verse 19 above. He knew Jesus as spotless and unblemished, and came to understand the preciousness of His blood (His sacrifice).
Here is a unique testimony to the sinlessness of the blessed Lamb. Every day Peter had observed every word, every action, every reaction and every facet of the Servant. He could testify to no blemish, not one imperfection. How wonderful for confidence that is! Peter shared the place of Christ’s sacrificial blood in verse 18/19. Redemption is through blood as Peter shared.
The Lord had taught His disciples of sacrifice but little did they realize that their own Master and Lord would be the Lamb of God. To that, Peter testifies. I suppose he could recall his own impulsive effort to prevent that through his sword but he never spoke of that. I guess that was folly and we don’t like making ourselves look stupid.
[C]. NUMBER 3. REJECTION is a real experience for Christians. A further point he shares is Christ’s rejection:-
{{1 Peter 2:4 “And coming to Him as to a living stone, REJECTED BY MEN, but choice and precious in the sight of God,”}}
Peter spoke of suffering in this letter of his and we studied that last time in the 9th message. Suffering brings rejection and rejection brings suffering. The Lord knew all about that with the constant battle with the religious rulers of the land. The ones Peter wrote to were experiencing this rejection, as do many of the righteous people because the world hates God’s children. There was a great lesson for the readers to learn of the Lord Jesus.
Just how much Peter understood the depth of that rejection through the three years of discipleship is debatable but he was soon to realize the impact of it when shortly after Pentecost, he found himself in prison with John. Peter boldly confronted the nation with its rejection of the Messiah (Acts 3:13; Acts 4:11-12). The world may set Christ aside, but to us He is precious, the fountain of life, and choice. How Peter must have recalled his thrice denial - just one step from rejection? But that was a brief incident AND in the past! Praise God our deep failures even as God’s children, are in the past once repentance has taken its course.
This next verse we have considered in a previous posting (the last one) but I just want to say that Peter was an eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ.
[D]. NUMBER 4. Christ’s SUFFERINGS are an example for us. He suffered for us.
{{1 Peter 2:21 “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,”}}
Peter, in the boldness of the Spirit, accused the people and rulers of crucifying Christ (Acts 2:36). He well remembered those pains when he was a confused eyewitness of the Lord’s sufferings before and on the cross. Even harder for Peter it was, because of the denial but he came to realize Christ was the example, and would be so for Peter too, before not too long, as he met his own martyrdom.
No group has ever suffered as much as have true Christians. Under the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church especially in France and Spain, and Italy, millions of Christians were martyred. One thing Jesus said is still not properly understood – {{Mark 8:34 He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and TAKE UP HIS CROSS and follow Me,”}} In those days, to take up your cross meant going out to a place where you would be crucified. That is the seriousness of the Christian gospel!
The easy-believeism of some modern day churches makes me sick. No commitment and no faithfulness. Just have a good time! And be entertained!
Peter watched Christ suffer and he has shared that. He shares His closest Friend.
[E]. NUMBER 5. Jesus suffered as the LAMB OF GOD. We have the eyewitness account of Jesus in His sufferings.
Then come two precious verses:-
{{1 Peter 2:22 “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
1 Peter 2:23 and while being reviled, HE DID NOT REVILE IN RETURN; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;”}}
Here we have the worthy testimony of one who studied his Lord for those years on earth. He knew of no sin, of no deceit. He saw the Lord’s reaction during his arrest and trial. He had heard His blessed comments from the cross - no reviling for the pain; no threats for the suffering, but a strong cord of dependent trust. Peter knew it all exactly as it was, the Spirit bringing all to his remembrance.
Jesus committed no sin!
No deceit was found in the Lord!
He was reviled!
Jesus did not revile!
The Lord suffered!
Jesus spoke not one threat or vengeance!
He entrusted Himself to the Father in heaven!
Peter makes sure that the believers he is writing to, really understand their Saviour. This letter of His is all about the Lord, Peter’s great Friend.
[F]. NUMBER 6. Peter shares the reason for the cross – it is the appropriated righteousness of Christ.
But Jesus sufferings did not end there, for the cross was for a divinely appointed purpose:-
{{1 Peter 2:24 “and HE HIMSELF bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; FOR BY HIS WOUNDS YOU WERE HEALED.”}}
Peter knew first hand the reality of that verse and knew the precious fruit that was the result. He had been chosen for the reaping of the harvest among the Jews after the disciples had all been empowered by the Holy Spirit (and the 120 in the upper room).
“for by His wounds you were healed.” What thoughts Peter would have had as he penned this; the reminders of his Lord with whom he had shared so much; those hands that held him when in the sea he sank; those hands that washed his feet; those very hands that were shown in the upper room with the scar wounds. What memories Peter shared. Peter well knew the wounds that lead to salvation.
Peter rejoiced at the news of the resurrection. See him run to the tomb with all his might, only beaten by a younger John. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. In verse 24 there is death and life. Death to sin’s dominance and hold, and life in righteousness, the imparted new life. Peter is so energised to share this as it has strong connections with his Friend. Peter just has to share this next small comment with his readers:-
[G]. NUMBER 7. Years of communion and ministry had reached this confirmed conclusion.
{{1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also died for sins ONCE FOR ALL, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but MADE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT;”}}
“Made alive in the Spirit” - which reminds us of Romans 1:4. His blessed Lord is alive! Precious must have been those post-resurrection times before the ascension. All that sweet fellowship with the risen Lord had endured for 31 more years for Peter. So necessary it was, to remind his readers that the Lamb who suffered for us was resurrected through the Spirit. What a foretaste of glory divine, when one day those very ones Peter was addressing will likewise share in His glorious resurrection.
Peter was the Apostle to the Circumcision (the Jews) and was well acquainted with the continuing sacrifices in the Temple, but he is very clear to point out that Christ’s sacrifice was once forever. If only the people in the Roman Catholic church would realise that. Paul raises the exact same matter – {{Hebrews 10:11-12 “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices which can never take away sins, but He, having offered ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR ALL TIME, sat down at the right hand of God,”}}
Lastly Peter says:-
[H]. NUMBER 8. The Place where Jesus is today
{{1 Peter 3:22 “who is AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”}}
Peter well remembered that day when he got his last look at his loving, forgiving Lord as He slowly ascended from them to the Father’s right hand from the Mount of Olives. How precious were those last memories that lingered in his mind, awaiting the consummation when he would be again in the Lord’s presence.
When Jesus left, Peter knew he would not see his Lord again until the fulfillment of this prophecy – {{John 21:18-19 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God, and when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”}}
I suppose I like to imagine how things happen, and I sometimes try to picture the scene in heaven when the Lord welcomed Peter’s spirit. What a welcome and reunion it would have been!
Peter had to share that fact - the Lord is at the Father’s right hand in full authority where all things have been subjected to Him. All this Peter knew, so what comfort to us to have it imparted first hand by a chief disciple. And in this way, Peter has shared some precious thoughts of his most wonderful Friend. Can we do the same?
