Today's Meditation
Read 1 Peter 4:7-19
7The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?” 19Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
I don't want to do a lot of interpretation here. I think I'm mostly going to just let the words speak for themselves in this passage. However, I find it interesting how many of the daily lectionary passages right now speak to our current situation.
Please note that this was during the time of the scattering of the Jews into the remoter sections of the Roman Empire. Around 70 AD the temple in Jerusalem has been destroyed and most of Israel has been ransacked and pillage by the Roman Emperor. Peter really did think that this was the end times, after all Jesus said he would return quickly.
Sometimes we think the end of times is near, also, just like Peter did 2000 years ago. But whether near or far, we are to remember do several things, above all else:
Maintain constant love for one another
Be hospitable to one another without complaining
Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received
Speak as though you are speaking the very words of God
Serve with the strength that God provides
By Casting Crowns
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