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Last week’s passage was difficult not because it was difficult to understand but because it is difficult to live out.
Today’s passage is difficult to understand. It is amongst the most difficult in the New Testament. Jesus preached to the imprisoned spirits of those from Noah’s day. What? Baptism saves us. Really?
We will come to those things but Peter reiterates and reinforces what he has been saying throughout this letter. You will remember that he was writing to Christians who were experiencing persecution and, essentially, he tells them not to pull back out of fear but to be even more Christian, even if that means suffering. Do the right thing; do the faithful, Christ-following, Kingdom of God thing.
Peter gives at least 9 reasons for doing the right thing even if it means suffering. See if you can identify them. We will come back to it at the end. 9 reasons for doing the right thing even if it means suffering.
In v.8, he lists five actions and specifically says “all of you” do these things. Every Christian is called to these things. Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate, be humble.
How would you describe those words or that type of person?
This should be a preoccupation for us, as a church. We want a culture of like-mindedness, sympathy, love, compassion and humility. We want people to look at our church and see those things.
However, immediately, Peter goes even deeper. If v.8 is about normal, everyday Christian living, vv.9-10 are about how we respond under provocation. If someone hurts you, what are you going to do? Peter says, “Do not repay evil with evil. Instead, bless the evil person.”
Have you not been stunned by the graciousness of many of the Christchurch Muslim following the shootings? When 51 of your friends have been killed, what do you do? Forgive the killer. Recognise that he must have had a troubled past. Say that you have no hate. Refuse to retaliate. Show hospitality. Express your gratitude for all of the people who have helped.
Has it not been amazing? Conversely, there is a general perception that Christians are haters. If there was a massacre in our church, how would we respond? Would we show the same graciousness?
They received evil but replied with grace. That has been a great witness. Many New Zealanders are now super-impressed with Muslims. I know some have converted to Islam since March 15. That is what Jesus calls Christians to – to be shockingly, unbelievably good.
We don’t need a massacre for that. I firmly believe we need to develop one ministry that meets a real need in this community. We need our community to say, “These people are unbelievably good.”
But Peter gives another reason for being very Christ-like even under provocation. Bless so that you might inherit a blessing (v.9). Vv.10-12 are a quote from Psalm 34: God sees and God rewards. Do the right thing because, ultimately, God will reward you. It might be unbelievably tough being faithful to Jesus when that only brings persecution but God honours those who honour Him.
Suffering for what is right is a blessing. On Thursday, Annie-Kate and I went to a pro-life meeting. The speaker said that she had not wanted to get involved in the pro-life movement because it is messy and controversial. You get a lot of opposition and criticism. Why put yourself through that? But then she said that she has discovered that the more hated you are, the better it is. It draws you so close to God.
Do you hear the words of Jesus running through all of this teaching? Jesus certainly taught unity, humility, love etc. Jesus taught us to not repay evil with evil but to bless instead. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” (Luke 6:27-29)
Matt 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Then Peter says, “Do not be afraid of those who persecute you. Instead, revere Christ as Lord.” That echoes Jesus’ words: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt 10:28). Peter’s teaching is saturated with the teaching of Jesus, and the example of Jesus. In every situation, our thinking should also be “What did Jesus teach? What did Jesus do?” As followers of Jesus, look to His lead.
If we face opposition from other people, we can fear those people and not do what is right or we can serve Jesus and do what is right. Peter is clearly saying, “Do not fear those who seek to harm you; fear God”
v.15: in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Be followers of Jesus.
Another reason for accepting suffering now is our expectation that one day, we will be with Jesus and there will be no more suffering or crying or pain or death. It is worth being a faithful follower now and choosing to do the right thing now so as to receive that ultimate reward from Jesus then. That is our hope.
People will see that. Sacrificing becomes a powerful witness. It will puzzle people. It will raise questions in their minds. Why would people die for Jesus? Why do you choose to give up your Sunday mornings? Why do you give your money and your time to Christian things? Why do you not do cash jobs? Why do you choose to not have sex outside of marriage? Why sacrifice when you could eat, drink and be merry? It is in that context that Peter says, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.”
And what is the answer? What would you say? Peter says we should be ready to say why.
Because Jesus died for me, taking my sins on Himself, giving me forgiveness and making me a child of God. I believe I will one day be with Him and I am willing to honour Him with all I have and am.
Again, Peter commands the language and attitude of love, humility, cooperation. “Do this with gentleness and respect.” It is not a competition. It is not a wrestling match. These people are not the enemy.
And, what is more, keep your own conscience clear. Just do it because it is the right thing. Even those who want to malign you will be ashamed of their nasty attitude if, in fact, all you have done is be gentle and respectful. You might have to suffer but it is far better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Peter again comes back to Jesus’ example. And it is again an expression of the gospel. Jesus suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. Here is Peter’s response to the reason for our hope: Jesus suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
And then the passage gets super-tricky. What is this business about Jesus preaching to the imprisoned spirits – those who were disobedient in the days of Noah. 4:6 says, “This is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead.” Does that mean they heard the gospel after death or before they died?
A basic rule of understanding the Bible is: if you don’t understand one passage, look at other related passages. But there are no other passages that talk about this. Does it mean that on Easter Saturday, between the crucifixion and the resurrection, Jesus spent time in hell, preaching to those who had been disobedient in the time of Noah? Or, does it mean that, at the time of Noah, Jesus was present in some way appealing to those who were rebelling – perhaps appealing to them through the words of Noah? I read that there are at least 314 different interpretations of this passage!
The Bible contains no suggestions that people get a second chance after they die.
Hebrews 9:27 People are destined to die once and after that to face judgement.
But, is it possible that that one generation did get a second chance? We would need to be careful about coming to definite conclusions on the basis of one difficult passage.
Whatever it means, what is Peter’s point? Jesus suffered for doing good. He died and rose for our sins. To talk of Noah and the flood is to talk of the judgement that awaits those who do not receive God’s gift of salvation. But Peter is also talking about the mercy of God. Jesus’ dying for us is the ultimate act of mercy. The suggestion that He went and gave Noah’s generation a second chance is further, unmerited, exceptional mercy. Peter talks about God waiting patiently in the days of Noah. I tend to think of the flood as a graphic example of the anger of God and I forget that God waited and waited and waited, giving people the chance to repent. And some were saved by the grace of God. God provided a way. It emphasises that it was only eight. What a terrible tragedy. It could have been more. God gave people 120 years to change their ways. 2 Peter 2:5 refers to Noah as a “preacher of righteousness”. We can assume that Noah called people to repent. The fact that eight were saved is a sign of God’s mercy. The fact that it was only eight is a sign of the hardness of human hearts.
Then Peter links the water of the flood with the water of baptism and reminds us of the salvation available now, by the grace of God. Baptism saves us (v.21). Baptism does not save. If somebody decided to be baptised would that save him/her. Absolutely not! It would be no more than a cold bath. There would be nothing spiritual about it. Baptism, by itself, will not save. But, Peter uses the word “baptism” as representative of much more. Baptism is an expression of faith in Jesus. Baptism is a commitment to live a new life as a follower of Jesus. When baptism is assumed to include faith and repentance, then, yes, that combination certainly does save. Yes, real baptism does save.
Peter has talked about the dying and rising of Jesus. He finishes by talking about Jesus being exalted to the right hand of God, with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.
So, what was this all about? Do not fear people. Make Jesus your Lord and always do the good and Christ-like thing, even if it means having to suffer. Be compassionate and humble. Be gentle and respectful. Talk about the hope you have in Jesus Christ. Talk about Jesus’ suffering and the mercy of God. Do the right thing and God will bless you and, in the end, take you to be with Him.
So, what are the reasons for doing the right thing even if it means suffering?
This is what we are called to (v.9)
We will be blessed ((v.9)
There is less chance of being harmed (v.13)
But if you suffer, you will be blessed (v.14)
Fear God, not people (v.15)
Ultimately, we will be with Jesus. That is our hope (v.15 and all the talk about salvation)
You will keep a clear conscience (v.16)
It will be a powerful witness. People will be ashamed (v.16)
It is what Jesus taught and did (lots of verses but especially 18-22)