SCRIPTURE | 1 Peter 1:10–12 “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, made careful searches and inquiries, inquiring to know what time or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He was predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been declared to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.”
OBSERVATION | First, we learn of the greatness of the teaching of “salvation,” “grace,” “the suffering of Christ,” “the glories to follow” and “the Gospel.” These doctrines are so wonderful and so precious the ancient prophets like Moses and Elijah carefully searched to know about them. This is biblical evidence of their study and devotion to the truths of scripture. It’s teaching is so great of a treasure to be able to dig into that even the angels who can see God, “long to look” into these truths too.
Second, we learn of the continuous work of God’s Spirit. He, who here is named “the Spirit of Christ” is one person of the Trinity and works within man to reveal God’s Word both in the ancient days of the prophets and the present day of the gospel.
Third, we learn from our passage these greatly valuable truths, which the Spirit of God leads us in, are being declared to us through those who proclaim the Gospel. I think few realize the immeasurable importance of faithful bible teaching in this way. The few preachers faithful enough to not “tickle ears” (2 Tim 4:3), to not seek the approval of man (Galatians 1:10), and to not seek friendship with the world (James 4:4) must also put aside the pride of entertaining preaching to instead teach, explain and apply the divine truths of the Word unwaveringly. Such men as this ought to be guarded from wolves by other men. For the wolves will ravage the life and ministry of any faithful man like this. Such preachers seeking to stand firm on the Word like this ought to be loved and followed as true shepherds, for their kind are horribly rare.
APPLICATION | If the ancient prophets longed to study the truths of scripture, and even angels, then we need to head the warning of Hebrews 2:2.“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away.” Then in verse 3 we are warned,“how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? That salvation, first spoken by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard.” Most lukewarm or worldly Christians drift away not because of out right rejection of Jesus and His Word. Instead they “neglect” the supremely valuable truths and doctrines that we all have open access to. So let’s not neglect the Word that angels and prophets longed to study. Instead, with zeal and passion lets read, study and grow in the Word of our God. Let’s be “carefully searching” and “longing to look.” Let’s walk the ancient paths of scripture and raise up our families daily in the Word. Study it for our own growth and live by it for God’s glory.
PRAYER | Thank you Father for reminding us through Your Word of the great value of Your Word. We have no escape if we neglect what is right before us, so make us hungry students of Your Holy Scriptures. Grow us to be obedient disciples who keep all that You command us and place our confident trust in all that you promise us. Mold our lives through the power of Your Spirit and the faithful shepherds You have placed in our lives. For Your glory alone. Amen.
