Cast your anxiety on Him

I’m doing some prep for Sunday’s lectionary podcast and one of the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter is from 1 Peter.

It’s so good.

Since it’s not the New Testament gospel reading, I won’t be covering it on Sunday, so I wanted to share it with you here today.

First thing… This is written by a man who blatantly betrayed Jesus a number of times. He wrote this after his death and resurrection. It just shows that even after the betrayal, his faith is rich. I might even say that it’s so BECAUSE of his tussle with faith. This is not a sentimental faith, Peter’s. This is a battle-tested faith.

Anyhow… If this passage doesn’t bring immediate comfort to the sorrowed soul, I don’t know what will. In these words, Christ is IN IT with us. This isn’t an exalted God in the clouds. This is a God who comes to us in our mess and exalts us.

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

4:13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.

4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.

5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

5:8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.

5:9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.

5:11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Grace + Godspeed,
Jonas