18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 

The Word of God in the Old Testament was God’s story of redemption toward the nation of Israel. During one of the most difficult periods of their history was the occupation of Palestine by pagan forces since the fall of Judah by Babylon. Prior to that Assyria had captured and destroyed the Northern tribes of Israel and divided up the people and intermarried so they were forever destroyed. Like Daniel predicted there were nations of Persia, Greece, and Rome whose domination were met with great persecution. Like in the days of Moses the people were praying for the coming promised Messiah.      

Peter was part of the select group chosen by God to be instrumental in revealing Jesus Christ to the world as the Messiah of Old who fulfilled the requirements laid down in Scriptures. There was more to be fulfilled when He comes again in glory. Peter was showing the Jewish people, by means of the prophecies written down years before, how God has redeemed people by the works of Jesus Christ. Peter was pointing out to the readers once again the tremendous work of God and the marvelous salvation that was theirs by His grace. This marvelous work of God’s grace is available to us as well.     

The Word of God pointed the Jewish readers by the ritual of the sacrificial lamb killed in the temples for their sins so that blood covered their personal wrongdoings to Jesus.  The picture was vivid now, that God had taken that place in the person of His own son, Jesus Christ.   

1 John 4:9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."  

    

The love of God is directed to each one of you as well. Love is initiated by God through the death of Jesus for you. He loved you.  He redeemed you. He bought you.  It was for your sake that Jesus came from heaven. It was love that initiates from God, not from us. That is why we revere Him. That is why we worship Him. That love from God is to be responded to by His followers. We receive His love and love Him back. The greatest of all commandments is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength."      

The story of the Word is that it "became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1). John and Peter and the other 10 beheld His glory in the Son of God. The lives of those who believe and become followers have never been the same since. 

Application:  What about you?

Prayer:   I worship You O Lord.  Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.  He washed me white as snow.