Friday, December 1, 2023  

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Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Peter 3:13–22

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.

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 persons, were saved through water.

And baptism, which this prefigured, 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 made subject to him. (NRSV)

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Reflection

Early Christians were asked to explain why they had hope. What would we have to do to attract that kind of question today? “How do you account for this hopefulness that you carry within you?”

This scripture gives some suggestions on how to prepare ourselves to be people of hope. It encourages us to not be intimidated and to not be afraid of the things that other people fear. A spiritual prayer practice, one that we do in our hearts, is suggested to be the alternative to intimidation and fear. Sanctify Christ as Lord.

As a visual thinker, I imagine the Resurrected Christ as a Being of Light, a Being vibrating with pure power. This Light of Christ shines out in all directions and also shines into and through me, healing me, comforting me, strengthening me, honoring me. In this prayer practice I, too, begin to resonate with this light and shine it into the world. This is one spiritual practice that helps me sanctify Christ as Lord.

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Prayer
God of Light, wash me with light and make me clean. Strengthen me to do what is right and to trust in your ultimate power and plan. Make me a person of love, hope, and honor. I pray in Christ’s name. Amen.

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Written by Nanette Sawyer, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Small Group Ministry

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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