July 11
________________________________________
1 PETER 3
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. – 1 Peter 3:18-22
________________________________________
1 PETER 3 THE GREATEST OF ALL SUFFERING
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Are you going through much pain and adversities?
Do you feel like giving up from these difficulties?
When you think that what you are going through is unbearable
Remember others who probably experienced pain that’s insufferable.
Meditate on how Jesus went through the intolerable abuse in Calvary
It is the greatest of all suffering as it appeased God’s wrath and fury
The steadfast love of God made him save Noah from evil around him
The ark became his refuge and the waters annihilated the man’s sins.
Just as God cleansed the earth from sin in Noah’s time
Baptism also purifies us from our past tendencies to sin
All those who are saved are brought safely to the water
Jesus’s suffering made us reconcile with the Father.
Do not feel disheartened or desperate when you suffer
It is an opportunity for you to keep your eyes on Jesus Christ
He is the greatest of all sufferers as he took the blame for our sins
He gave up his life so we can have a new start and live free.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What was Peter’s recommendation when we suffer in these verses?