1 Peter - Part 6
We’re already nearing the end of our time in 1 Peter. As we go along, we find no shortage of challenging texts to read and live out ourselves! This week we find another one. If it wasn’t hard enough to show gentleness and respect to those persecuting us, we also have to show gentleness and respect to our own brothers and sisters in Christ who understand difficult verses like 3:19 differently that we do!
15th C. Miniature - Anonymous Christ descending to the Spirits in Prison
Anchor Texts:
Matthew 5:10-12 NIV - Blessed are those who are persecuted
Isaiah 8:13 ESVUK - But the LORD of hosts,
Questions to Ponder:
Why do you think Peter starts v. 13 with a question like this when he is writing specifically to a mocked and persecuted church?
On a scale of 1 (Bad) to 5 (Very Good), how would you rate yourself on how gently and respectivefully you respond to those questioning your faith in Jesus? How often are you being questioned? What could you do to invite more questions?
How does 1 Peter 3:18-22 continue the theme of submission from previous sections, specifically in Jesus’ example?
What does Peter’s re-wording of Isaiah 8:13 (in 1 Peter 3:15) tell us about the way the Early church understood Jesus?
Pastor Nate listed 4 of the many variations how how to interpret Jesus’ preaching to the spirits in prison, did you agree with one, or have you heard a different version? Read vv.19-22 again. What do you think is happening here?
The Theme in Art:
This painting to the right, from 1516 shows incredible realism and detail. It’s one of several different interpretations of what we might imagine visually by Christ meeting the spirits in prison.
What do you notice about the background? Christ’s posture? The lighting? Who are the figured two whom Jesus has turned his back? Who does he kneel down toward?
How do you think this artist interpreted 1 Peter 3:19?
The Theme in Song:
A song that I found so powerful when it came out over 13 years ago was Matt Maher’s “Christ is Risen.” Now as I listen to it in the light of wrestling with 1 Peter 3:13-22, I find a new appreciation in its focus on the shockwaves that reverberated throughout the spiritual realm when Christ died and when he rose again, too. The realm of the dead was shaken when the power of Death was defeated. I encourage you to listen and reflect on the total triumph acheived by Christ when he died for us.
Bajada de Christo al Limbo - 1516, by Sebastiano del Piombo