God is love. Some people can’t believe it. If God is love, how can he allow all of this suffering and murder and violence and corruption? If God exists, is love even one of God’s attributes? Others misunderstand this statement and would have it mean that God always and everywhere radiates a sentimental positive vibe toward all that we say and do.
What we say and do in times of adversity can have more impact than what we say and do when all is going well. Times of suffering can be perfect opportunities to bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
In this passage we will hear Peter’s instructions regarding the Christian attitude toward authority – and it is extremely instructive to us. Writing from Rome, and living under the tyranny of a maniac who would later literally crucify him, he tells us to submit.
We come today to the end of a first-century sermon written by an author trained in Jewish rabbinical tradition. He wrote this to a congregation of Jewish Christian believers, probably residing in Rome. He has encouraged them to remain faithful to Jesus no matter what. And he wants them to understand that knowing and following Jesus is far and away better than any religious tradition they can ever find anywhere else.
Central Reflections 