I Peter 1:10-16
At some point in my reading today I began to realize that Peter was getting really personal with his readers. Then I counted how many times “you” and its derivatives were used in these seven verses: Twelve times! Plus eleven times in yesterday’s nine verses and eleven more times in tomorrow’s nine verses…!! Peter is getting really personal in this letter! My Study Bible pointed out that we will see a large number of imperatives, exhortations, and encouragements that Peter is offering his readers. Watch for them!
Of all the “you” references in today’s reading, none were more touching to me than what we read in verse 12: It was revealed to them [the prophets] that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. The Old Testament prophets did not know when, how, or where their words would be applied, but it turns out that their words were spoken for US – hundreds, even thousands of years later! They had seen …through a glass dimly…, but Jesus’ followers back then and we in time future will see …face to face…!! (I Corinthians 13:12)
Two other items in verse 12 that I just quoted above… First, Peter acknowledges that someone – likely someone else, not him – was responsible for preaching the good news. He may well have had Paul in mind, along with dozens or hundreds of other first-century evangelists who were carrying Jesus’ message throughout the Mediterranean world, and beyond. We thank God today for what they started and the benefits that this entire civilization has received from their travels (and travails!). Second, …things into which angels long to look. This phrase is a bit confusing, mostly because it is written in the present tense. A past tense “longed to look” would have been more clear. So I wonder if angels in heaven were not allowed (or are not allowed) to look on some activities that took place (or are taking place) on earth. Strange that we might be seeing things that angels would love to see but which are hidden from them! Wondering…
Slava Bohu!
With regard to …things into which angels long to look…, I don’t think it is so much a matter of visibility of activities as it is a matter of relating to our position as fallen creatures raised to heights of glory by God’s grace. For example, I can watch documentaries of the Holocaust and of the liberation of concentration camps by the allies, but I cannot truly appreciate the feelings of those who actually went through that horror and were liberated.