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An Inspiring Viewⁱ

Sixth Sunday of Easter (YrA)

Psalm 66:8-20
Acts 17:16-31
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21

Message presented by Rev. Frank C. Ruffatto

In his letter and in our text, Peter gives us a glimpse God’s glory. He relates to the early Christian churches how Jesus not only suffered for their sin but how He rose from the dead in victory over all evil. He descended into hell to proclaim his victory over the powers of hell, and He ascended into heaven, is seated on the right hand of God, where He now rules over all things.

 God Calls Us to See Our Lives in Light of the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

This is our larger landscape. This is our larger vision. When suffering enters our lives, when difficulties endanger our discipleship, Peter encourages us to see this larger vision of our risen and ruling Lord.

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

- 1 Peter 3:13–22

ⁱBackground and Study material – Rev. David R. Schmitt, PhD, The Gregg H. Benidt Chair of Homiletics and Literature, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri– Concordia Pulpit Resources Volume 30, Part 2, Year A, electronic version