SCRIPTURE
"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow...Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.'" (1 Peter 1:10-11, 13)
OBSERVATION
The prophets tried to discern Jesus' first coming into the world. That time when he would be born, suffer, and be received into glory. Peter described the incarnation (the first Christmas) as the "grace that was to come to you." God's coming into the world, in the person of Jesus, was a display of grace. Grace is a gift (receiving what we do not deserve). And the greatest gift was Jesus. Grace = Gift. Gift = Jesus. Therefore, Grace = Jesus. Now, 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus, it is no longer the grace that is to come but the grace that has come.
The prophets anticipated this coming of the Messiah, searching intently with the greatest care. Peter also gives us something to look forward to with the same anticipation. The second coming of Jesus (when he is revealed). This is also describes as "the grace to be given to you." He reminds us that this is where we find our hope. Whenever Jesus physically comes to this world is described in terms of grace. God is gracing us with the presence of his son.
APPLICATION
I find that it's easy to be jealous of the people who were alive at the time of Jesus' birth. I mean, they were anticipating the Messiah, but more than that they were able to witness his arrival. Shepherds even got in on his first visit to the planet. Their hopes were fulfilled. Peter reminds me that I can have the same kind of hope as them. Jesus is coming again and that will be another demonstration of God's grace. It's very easy to get caught up in life down here and forget to live in anticipation of Jesus' coming.
In the meantime, I don't just wait around and stare at the sky. But I am to be living a life of anticipation: self-controlled with a mind prepared for action. It is active waiting. That may sound like an oxymoron but it is the walk of a child of God. Waiting with hope and living the life God's called me to live. God once again will send his indescribable gift...Jesus. And I just may be able to witness it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of grace. Jesus. Who came and is coming again.
