Eastertide
May 8, 2014

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-12

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
 Once you were not a people,
   but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
   but now you have received mercy. — 1 Peter 2:9-10 

If you read the full scripture for today you will see that the quoted verses, nine and ten, lead into an admonition about how we should conduct ourselves in the world. This is rather like the parental admonition to children that they are to do nothing that would tarnish the family name, which is good advice for any group trying to carry out a mission. We do not want our behavior to overshadow our purpose.

Verses nine and ten are a composite of quotes from the Hebrew Bible, specifically Exodus 19:6 and Isaiah 43:20-2. These ancient writings express the covenantal relationship the Israelites had with God. The writer of 1 Peter is underscoring the continuation of that relationship through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as he came to expand the covenant to the whole world. These scriptures remind the first Jewish followers of Christ that there was a time when even they were not a people of God and in need of mercy.

This reminder echoes over the centuries for those of us who have known no other way of being but as followers of Christ. As we live out our faith we need to be O so aware that God’s love is an amazing gift of grace, something to be cherished as if it were newly given each morning like manna from heaven. For our understanding that we are God’s people when extended to those who may not yet be aware that they, too, are God’s people is our purpose.  It is not a gift we are to hide in a safe place where no one will take it from us.

Prayer: O God of Mercy, make me a blessing to someone today. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.