Acts: Acts 17:22-31
Gospel: John 14:15-21
Epistle: 1 Peter 3:13-22
We have some interesting passages this week. The passage
from 1 Peter is notoriously difficult to interpret. In fact, we recently dealt
with this passage in a “difficult questions in scripture workshop” I went to.
We definitely had a heated discussion between some saying Jesus went to hell,
or someplace of the dead, to preach to them before his resurrection and those
who believed that Jesus preached to the “spirits” from Genesis 6 after his
resurrection. The difficulty with this passage is not just that Peter is not
exactly clear what he means, it is also that we almost 2,000 years later are
not familiar with the views, beliefs, assumptions, etc. of Peter and his
audience. Drawing from another difficult and vague passage, Genesis 6:1-4, certain
Jewish traditions created accounts to fill in the blanks. It is this line of thinking we see in 2 Peter
2:4 and Jude 6, where the wicked angels are said to be in bondage.
In general, I was leaning towards the interpretation that includes Genesis because that makes sense in the context about Noah. In this idea, Jesus goes and preaches his victory to the fallen angels/spirits now in prison. This idea also takes into consideration the overall context of persecution in the letter of 1 Peter. To a community that is experiencing persecution and trouble, Jesus’ message of victory to the evil spirits is one of hope.
Difficult passages like this remind us that some passages of
Scripture will never fully be understood in a nice little package. My study Bible
presented three main interpretations and although personally we might be convinced
of one view, we must recognize that we can’t be certain. This at least should provide
some humility as we approach Scripture. We must remember that there have been
lots of words and thoughts given to this text and many resources to turn to
other than our own interpretation.
All of Scripture is written into and for a particular
context. This is evident in the passage from Acts as well. Paul changes his
Gospel message so that it will be understandable and effective to the audience
in Athens. He mentions the altar to the
unknown god and even quotes two ancient Greek philosophers in verse 28. If I
did not know that from outside sources, in this case, m study Bible, I wouldn’t
have realized he was quoting Greek philosophers. Undoubtedly, many of the
people in Athens probably recognized it. Paul said, after all that, “I
have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”
Paul wasn’t afraid to contextualize his message to his audience. The Gospel
message is able to be presented in all contexts and for all people.
For those who read the Scriptures this
week, you might be thinking that I have not mentioned John 14 yet. In John 14, Jesus
tells his disciples that after he leaves he will give the Helper, or Comforter,
to be with them forever. Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit; to a group
that has just heard that Jesus will be killed and that one of the disciples will
betray him, this is a promise of great hope. Even when it seems like Jesus is
no longer there, because he cannot be seen, the Holy Spirit will remain with
us. Jesus also provides a whole picture of the Trinity here. He says, “In that day [the day the Spirit comes] you will know that I am in My
Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” It is actually a powerful image
because it not only says that God is Triune, but that Jesus involves us,
humanity, as a participant in the Divine through him. The picture is like one
of those Russian stacking dolls; however, we are both in Jesus and Jesus is in
us through his Spirit. But we are able to be in the Father only because of Jesus’
presence in us.
I have to say it one more time to wrap this
week up: hope. That is the message this week. The giving of the Spirit, to be
with us forever, provides hope to us whether we are facing persecution or not.
In our everyday life, trying to live obediently and faithfully to Christ, the Spirit’s
presence provides hope and power. This week, let us live into this hope. The Spirit
is in us and Christ desires for us to serve and glorify the Father faithfully. Through
his Spirit, let us run with perseverance the race set before us.
Grace and Peace
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