10 Regarding this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace [of God] that was intended for you, searched carefully and inquired [about this future way of salvation], 11 seeking to find out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow.
12 It was revealed to them that their services [their prophecies regarding grace] were not [meant] for themselves and their time, but for you, in these things [the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus Christ] which have now been told to you by those who preached the gospel to you by the [power of the] Holy Spirit [who was] sent from heaven. Into these things even the angels long to look.
1 Peter 1:10-12 (AMP) 中文
Example of suffering
Having just told his readers to rejoice in their trials, he now tells them that they aren’t alone in their suffering. In fact, the author of their salvation, Christ Himself, also suffered. “Peter reminded his readers that the prophets had predicted that Jesus Christ’s life, as their own lives, would include suffering followed by glory. He mentioned this in order to encourage them to realize that their experience of suffering—for their commitment to follow God faithfully—was not abnormal.” (Constable commentary)
Jesus self-revelation
What I find so intriguing is that v11 reveals to us, “the Spirit of Christ within them (the prophets) was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow.” Jesus, the Word of God, was revealing to the prophets of the OT (Isaiah, Jermiah, etc.) future events…involving Jesus Himself! In particular, Peter is focusing on the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus. So Jesus, as God, knew well in advance of the events – that He would suffer and die. But He carried on…for them, for us! “Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Angels long to see
This good news (gospel) that they have heard was preached by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit was sent from Heaven. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you,” Jesus told His disciples in John 14:26. “Part of God’s eternal purpose is to show His wisdom to the angelic beings through His work with the church (Ephesians 3:10-11). God wants the angels to look in on what He does in the church, and the idea is that the angels are bending over with intense interest and desire to learn.” (enduringword.com)
RЯeflection
- Have you ever realized that Jesus, in His pre-incarnate state, spoke through the prophets? More than that, He spoke of His suffering and death. And He knew not just 1,000 years in advance. He knew from the beginning of creation. And He still came to save us by dying for us. Have you thanked Him recently?
- So the main point of Peter’s message here is, when we suffer (and we do) we are not alone. Our Lord has experienced even greater suffering. He can relate to us. Does that provide you any comfort in your trials?
