When things are going well for us and there are no great difficulties in our lives, we human beings tend to take our blessings for granted. But when we are suffering, especially when the suffering has come upon us as a result of our faith, then we sometimes ask ourselves whether it is worth the cost. When this happens we need to be reminded how valuable our faith is.
In writing to some of the followers of Jesus who were suffering as a result of their faith the Apostle Peter describes the great value of the salvation that God gives through faith in Jesus. In verses 10-12 of chapter one in his first letter Peter writes:
“Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.”
We assign value to things by how much they cost. From this point of view how much is salvation worth? It is worth so much that Jesus was willing to suffer mistreatment and to give up His life in order to make our salvation possible. In chapter 2:24 Peter reminds us that: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” If our salvation was that valuable to Jesus, shouldn’t we consider it valuable also? In verses 18-19 of this very chapter Peter writes that Jesus, “…his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.”
Salvation alone is precious and valuable enough that we should be willing to endure anything in order to obtain it. But God, in his love and mercy, has much more in store for the Christian. In verse 7 Peter has already told his readers that they will receive praise, glory and honor when Christ returns, but he reminds them that even Christ had to suffer before he was glorified. Hebrews 12:2-3 says: “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.” Surely the glory that awaits the Christian is worth any suffering we may have to endure in this life!
Peter emphasizes the value of salvation to us as people. But the glories that await us Christians affect far more than just us. In Romans 8:18-21 the Apostle Paul writes: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.” This too is a reason to patiently endure whatever suffering may come upon us because of our faith in Jesus.
Peter gives an indication of how valuable salvation is and how much we are worth in God’s sight when he writes concerning the prophets, “To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things…” (verse 12) We rightly consider the prophets great men of God. Yet they humbly gave themselves in service to those who would put their faith in Jesus. The follower of Christ is truly privileged even though he may have to suffer for his faith! Each Christian should be encouraged, and yet humbled when he recognizes the great honor that God has given him.
Here it is appropriate to say a few words about service. The world judges how important someone is by how many people serve him. But in Christ it is different. The scriptures teach that those who are truly great are the ones who serve the most. Mark 10:42-45 says: “Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”” The Apostle John records how Jesus demonstrated this teaching: He “…arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him… So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”” (John 13:4-5, 12-15) Peter has told us how Christ and the prophets have served us. We too should follow their example by humbly devoting ourselves to serve others.
Peter gives one more example of how valuable salvation is. He writes: “…which things angels desire to look into.” (verse12) We can only speculate why the angels are concerned about our salvation. We do know from scripture however, that angels are capable of sinning. Is it possible that the salvation of mankind is interrelated with the judgment or salvation of the angels?