In raising Jesus from the dead, God has given believers a sure and everlasting inheritance even as they are tested in their faith (1 Peter 1:3-9). All who live united with the risen Lord share in His worldwide mission of peace and reconciliation (John 20:19-31).
Salvation assured
Addressing the Christian communities in five provinces of Asia Minor, Peter wants to inspire and admonish these Gentile converts, “chosen sojourners” scattered among pagans, to remain steadfast in their faith in spite of hardships and persecution. The apostle starts off with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God who in His great mercy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has given them all new life in baptism. The wonderful gift of baptism is like being begotten anew, a new birth unto a living hope that an inheritance is reserved for them in heaven. This new life that comes from God through Christ defines the Christians as initiated into an otherworldly existence awaiting fulfillment in heaven. The promised inheritance belongs to heaven, and is not of this world. It shares in the qualities of heaven: “imperishable,” it is not conquered by death; “incorruptible,” it is free from all forms of pollution; “unfading,” it does not wither away.
It is God’s power no less that safeguards them through faith to attain this eschatological salvation that is still in the future but is ready to be revealed in the last days. Faith in its genuineness is what will bring Christians praise, glory and honor at the final revelation of Jesus Christ as the Savior. Meanwhile life in the world for the baptized is like the testing of gold in a furnace.
Faith being tested
The risen Christ is the mediator of the salvation that comes from God. We enjoy already new life through His resurrection. But Jesus purchased it for us at a tremendous cost; Jesus suffered and died for it. On the part of those thus begotten again in baptism suffering is required, too, suffering that purifies and tests faith and brings out its genuineness. Their new life in Christ can be life-threatening because of persecution and countless difficulties. But they are safeguarded by God in their faith. Faith is much more precious than gold refined by fire because gold passes away, while faith brings in the end everlasting glory in Christ.
The temporary suffering and passing purification of Christians are but a prelude to eternal joy in heaven. In their present life of faith, they love Christ even if they have not seen Him, and they believe in Christ now even when they do not see Him. So, in their new life in faith, Christians already experience a glorious joy that is indescribable, for they are journeying to reach their goal, the salvation of their souls. Amid trials that are for a little while only, Christians are guaranteed the promised salvation in God.
On others’ testimony
Behind locked doors, the disciples suddenly had Jesus in their midst on the evening of the resurrection itself. They were filled with joy as they kept looking at Jesus returned from the dead and showing them His hands and His side. Thomas, who was not there and did not see Jesus, made it a condition for him to believe that he must first see and put his finger in the wounds of Jesus. A week later, Jesus came again despite locked doors and told Thomas to see for himself and put his finger in His wounds. Thomas believed because he saw Jesus. Jesus pointed out, “Blessed are those who have not seen and believe!” Faith based on the words of others, those privileged few who personally experienced the risen Lord, is now our faith.
The resurrection has altered the reckoning of time; it took place the day after the Sabbath. Henceforth, this day of the Lord, Sunday, is the beginning of the week and gives the religious focus on the future. The mysterious character of Christ’s body, crucified and now glorified, transcends any limitation of time and space, and cannot be impeded by any obstacle. His greeting of peace becomes a universal mission He shares with His disciples: in His Holy Spirit they are sent to bring peace and pardon to all.
Alálaong bagá, in this Easter season, we are invited to meditate on the mystery of the resurrection of Christ and of our own rebirth through the resurrection in baptism. As initiated into the Christian mysteries, we live in the faith that hopes in our eternal salvation in God. We may be no different from Thomas in wanting some tangible evidence to assure us. But others’ testimony in the Sacred Scripture is all that we have. And it is all that counts. It is of vital importance that we discover now the Word of God in these words of men.
But when we live by faith in the resurrection, it is then that tangible proofs of the resurrection become visible—in the Christian communities united in prayer and steadfast amid trials and suffering, in the people dedicated to the work of reconciliation and peace, in persons committed to justice and truth, in individuals feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, helping the needy, comforting those in sorrow, etc.
For more of my reflections and works, visit my blogsite: http://alalaongbaga.multiply.com.
