Lent
February 19, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. — 1 Peter 3:18-20

Commentators differ in opinion about what this scripture is saying. Some believe the Christ, after Jesus’ death, visited the spirits of those who died in the Great Flood and were subsequently imprisoned in the spirit. To them he proclaimed his message. Others think it refers to offering salvation to all spirits imprisoned in death. While it would be interesting to know precisely “who” the writer of 1 Peter was addressing here, I think it may be more important to recognize that it indicates God’s love never ends and God never stops trying to reach all of God’s children.

In all honesty, this scripture had meaning for the living of that day and for us today. For, I believe, we are fully capable of enshrouding our spirits in prisons right now that keep us from being whole and being one within the Body of Christ. Christ did not suffer just for us to transition to a glorious retirement center after our death. Christ suffered and died to free us to carry on his work in the world today. As the man, Jesus, he knew full well his limitations in space and time. His mission, which by the way he fulfilled beyond all imagination, was to plant the seeds of the Kingdom of God so that they might spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We are still sowers and reapers in that garden.

Lent is a great time for each of us to consider the shrouds that are holding us back from being whole and working with all the parts of the Body of Christ. Jesus never once said it would be easy. Oh, well, maybe he did: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’(Matthew 11:28-30)

Prayer: Lord we thank you for suffering for us and for bringing us to God. Now, guide us as we share your yoke in ministry throughout the world. 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.