Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:1,2[1]
Somehow in Junior High I got connected with the Audio-Visual crew. Mostly this involved delivering and picking up all the projectors used by teachers. Yes, I’m that old. It was called Junior High, and you could see a T-Rex on the way to school. In those ancient times, an overhead projector was a piece of technology to marvel at.
But at Parkville Junior High, there was a tradition like no other. Every year, we put on an original musical play. Yes, I did say original. The story was written by Mr. Johnson, an English teacher and the music was composed by Mr. King from the music department. Because Mr. Rheb had technical theater experience, he took charge of lighting and set construction.
And since Mr. Rheb also ran the AV crew, we were drafted to work on the play. After Mr. Rheb designed everything for the stage, he created a detailed plan for the play. This included sets and lighting for the entire production.
His design was our battle plan. We built and painted all the sets, some included platforms that were on wheels for ease of movement. We also moved and focused the schools extensive set of professional stage lights. To say this was quite a production for a Junior High would be an understatement.
There were lots of rehearsals for the actors and musicians to practice their lines. It also gave us a chance to practice all the lighting changes and moving of sets. With all the kinks worked out, we were ready for opening night.
Each spring, the performance was given four times over a weekend. Every time the doors opened, people flooded in with their family and friends. After the school parking lot quickly filled, the roads were jammed with cars parked on both sides of the street. Som people even pulled into driveways where they didn’t have permission.
At the right time, Mr. King came out to thunderous applause. He raised his baton and the orchestra started playing. The overture was a collection of melodies that had been specially created for this one play. Everyone went to their assigned position. All the right lights were on, and the correct sets were in place. Everything was ready. The stage was set, and the curtain came up.
As Peter starts off this letter, just like our play, he carefully sets the stage. He introduces everyone and begins by telling everyone Just like this play didn’t happen by accident. There was lots of work to get us to this point. He points out two things that have already happened so that the third can take place
Chosen. For reasons that we’ll never understand, God has picked out some people for himself. Just so you know, no one deserves God.
Sanctifying. Because we’re so dirty, God himself had to clean us up and separate us to himself and away from what dirtied us.
Obedient. When we hear all that God has done for us, we naturally want to respond by giving ourselves to him, walking away from everything else.
The idea of God choosing and doing all the work for us was even more unpopular back in the days of Peter than it is today. There were temples, priests, and whole industries that depended on people working for approval from God. Shepherds provided animals for sacrifice. Artists made statues. Even the government got into the act through taxes.
For us, it’s not so much about gods that we see and statues we bow down to. Our approach to becoming acceptable to God is to deny that he even exists. If there is no God, then there’s no reason to try and please someone that doesn’t exist. This lets us do whatever we want with no guilt or shame.
Another thing we try is to control God. This is closer to what was going on in the first century. We put limits on what God can and can’t do. What God can and can’t say. Areas of life where God has no place telling us what’s right or wrong. If we do certain things, this will get God off our back for a while so we can go back to doing whatever we want.
But Peter starts off with a bang. He immediately goes in the other direction. He goes the opposite way than all the religions and philosophies in the world. Instead of us doing everything to get back to God, God does it all. He does the reaching out. He restarts the relationship. He completely pays off the debt we’ve dug ourselves into. And this all came at the cost of Jesus.
So, as we begin this book, let’s follow Peter’s setting the stage for us. It’s time to stop trying to clean ourselves up for God. To pay for all our mistakes. And as awful as they are, Jesus’ death on the cross took care of them all. Period. No more trying to get God’s attention. Trying to make him love us. He already reached down from heaven and paid for them, once-and-for-all. Now we’re free to enjoy his loving guidance throughout this life and all eternity. Now that’s good news.
Noodling Questions
Describe the “stage” of your life right now. Be specific.
How does obedience come from being chosen and sanctified?
What freedoms does God’s loving acceptance give to you and your life?
[1] Unless otherwise noted, all Bible references are from the New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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