Gospel at Arm’s Length

This text has always fascinated me. For one, the fact that I get to live on the other side of the cross is nothing but grace. If you are reading this, you do too. By “other side” I mean after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. None of us chose this. We didn’t tap God on the shoulder in heaven and say, “excuse me, God, can I live after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead?” He decided to let us live now, during this time.

Sheer grace.

Another reason I love this text is Peter is careful to tell his readers that when the prophets in the Old Testament (before the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) prophesied, they really wanted to know what it was all about. They had knowledge of a coming Messiah. They had God-given insight. The Spirit of Jesus was in them, prompting them to say and write what we have recorded for us. Jesus’ Spirit was in them, even then, to predict His coming. That is amazing. They didn’t get to see it or experience it. But they knew enough to serve us with God’s plan to send Jesus.

Not only that, but Peter tells us even angels long to get a glimpse of such things. The angels in heaven long to experience the Gospel and enjoy Jesus as redeemed sinners.

The fact that we live on “this side” of the cross means we are envied by both angels and prophets. Both had a knowledge. Both had a solid understanding. But neither were able to experience God’s love for people in the person of Jesus.

I’ve always liked this passage.

Until…

Until I looked at these words from a different angle.

I wonder if I am more like the prophets and angels than I care to admit? I wonder if they had higher hopes and reverence for this Good News than I ever have? I wonder if I have knowledge and understanding and insight into the truths and realities of the Gospel, but haven’t really experienced the life-transforming depth of it? The way Peter presents the Prophets and angels here is they were on the outside looking in. Peter’s point is that his readers are able to enjoy something no other generation or group of people (and angels!) ever imagined. I wonder if I am okay with the Gospel being at an arm’s length, content to let it be “out there” somewhere?

Couple that with what Peter says about his readers in verse 8: Though they haven’t seen Jesus, they love Him. AND they believe in Him with a faith that leads to “inexpressible and glorious joy.”

Does that describe your life?

Which more accurately describes you: the Prophets and angels who were on the outside looking in? Or the believers Peter addressed who were known as lovers of Jesus whose lives exhibited “inexpressible and glorious joy”?

Here’s the thing. Joy that is glorious and inexpressible that results from a real belief in and love relationship with Jesus is available and possible. The Prophets of old and the angels with God knew about it – but didn’t/can’t experience a rich and redeemed and life-giving relationship with Jesus.

This is the difference between Peter’s audience and the Prophets/angels. The Christians Peter addressed let all of Jesus love all of them. They were with Jesus and wanted Jesus to be with them. They didn’t hold Jesus at an arm’s length. They let Him in and enjoyed His resurrection presence.

What is keeping you from enjoying a real relationship with Jesus? Why are you guarded? Why stay on the outside looking in? The Prophets and angels didn’t have a choice. They longed for it and couldn’t. I fear we can, yet desire to stay “safe.”

What area of your heart do you think cannot be loved and redeemed by Jesus?

What are you afraid to tell Him? What are you afraid to let Him see?

The Prophets knew about, but couldn’t.

The angels are intrigued and jealous.

Learn from them. Jesus isn’t out to make life miserable. In fact, quite the opposite. When He has you – all of you – real life actually begins.