Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Who do you place your hope in? Jesus Christ or God the Father?
It is an interesting question, isn’t it? Is there a difference? Well, yes. Jesus prayed to his Father in heaven. On occasion, God spoke to his Son. Then, of course, Jesus taught his disciples that, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9 b)
Peter provides us with a very interesting logical construct.
1. It is through Jesus that you believe in God.
We know that Peter was sharing the Gospel with Gentiles as well as Jews. (Acts 10) When he addresses his letter to “God’s elect,” he is most likely including both Jewish and Gentile believers. The Gentiles may only have been aware of God because of being introduced to Jesus, but the Jews are a different case. The Jews would have already believed in God before Jesus was born. So how could Peter’s statement be true for them?
The God of the Jews, before Jesus, was seen through the lens of Moses. Moses and God were very close. The writings Moses left behind became sacred to the Jews. It was these writings that were their primary link to God.
After Jesus, those who believed in Jesus saw a different God. Instead of a God who measures every step they take on a Sabbath, they saw a God who loves them like a father loves his children. This was new to them. I think this is new and different enough that Peter’s statement holds true.
2. Next, Peter points out that it was God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.
Okay. I guess that could be important. Jesus didn’t raise himself. He was dead, right? This adds another dimension to the trust our Lord has in the Father. He trusted that if he allowed himself to be killed, God would raise him up again. Wow.
3. I am not certain, but Peter’s reference to God glorifying Jesus might be a reference to the ascension. That was certainly a glorious event! It also affirmed that God had fulfilled every promise to Jesus and about Him. His glorification was wrapped up in both the resurrection and the ascension.
4. Finally, Peter makes the case that (A) since you believe in God through Jesus, and (B) it was God who raised Jesus from the dead and glorified him, that (C) your faith and hope are actually in God.
Why is this important? As Jesus himself pointed out, he and the Father are one. As humble as Jesus is, it does not glorify him to honor him as God and not honor the Father. If we want to honor Jesus, we honor the Father first.
Application: Obey the first and greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. (Matthew 22: 37)
Food for Thought: Why is it important to us that Scripture is logically consistent with itself?
We are created in the image of God. That means many things – but one would be that we have reason to guide us. Logic is important in determining truth. That the Scriptures are logically consistent points to one mind behind the 66 books spanning 1500 years, 3 continents, and 40 human authors. That Scripture is logically consistent points to the Holy Spirit being the true inspiration of the message of Scripture (2 Peter 1: 19 – 21).
Rich,
Thank you! I appreciate your overview of the span of Scripture. And what you say is quite true, the entire library of books in the Bible is logically and internally consistent.
Sadly, there are people who hold the Bible up to a standard of their own making, one that is deeply flawed, and they say, “See, the Bible is not consistent.” So far in my experience they have always been proven wrong.
Thank you Jeff for this lesson. As a new believer this clears up a few questions for me from going from Jesus to God to one and the same then to the father and son and the relationship of love that god has for us that he made things so much easier for us through his son and the love that the son has for all of us.
Timothy,
You are very welcome! Actually, as an old believer this cleared up a few questions for me, too. Keep in mind that I don’t come here to preach. This is not a lecture hall where Jeff comes to pontificate. (Well not most of the time anyway! 🙂 ) I come here to explore God’s Word and share what I find. I am honored and delighted that you are here to share that adventure with me.
You never cease to amaze me Jeffery:
God is beyond our understanding, yet if we could understand Him, He would not be God. He has chosen to approach us on our level.
He speaks to us through creation Romans 1:20.
Through Prophets, 2 Kings 21:10, Luke 1:70.
His Son Jesus Christ, John 3:16.
The Holy Spirit, 2 Timothy 3:16, John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Other believers, James 3:17
Through the Bible 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12.
To do this effectively, He has spoken in terms, reasons with in logical words, truths we can understand.
Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 43:26, Mark 11:29-33, John 1:1, John 7:18.
To my knowledge, man has determined there are three classical Laws of Logic or the three laws of thought, and None of the Laws of Logic are broken by God as He speaks to mankind. Scripture is definitely consistent.
However the key to true understanding and obedience to God’s will is the Holy Spirit who reveals His truths to our heart and provides the faith to believe. Our faith in Jesus is not based on human reasoning or logic.
Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 20:4, Matthew 6:21, Mark 11:23, Colossians 3:15, John 16:8-15.
It is a gift from God, placed in our hearts for our salvation
Thank you, Ron. You continue to amaze me as well!
I really appreciate the verses you have collected for us today. They paint a picture of a logical and reasoning God. Sadly, most of man’s history is that of a spoiled child, deserving of punishment. The human race has rarely raised itself up to being worthy of a logical conversation with its Creator.
Your questions are amazing Jeff, they send my brain into a spin because there are so many directions flooding my mind. Keep it up Brother.
I’m here for you, Ron!!
All of this mental exercise will keep you young!! 🙂