COV LIFE BLOG

1 Peter 1:10-12 – Longing for The Great Salvation That Was Prophesied

Salvation was the theme of the prophets’ study, it was the theme of the Spirit’s inspiration, it was the theme of the apostles’ testimony, and it was the theme of the angels’ interest.  This is so rich, so rich.  And the very fact that the Old Testament prophets were so interested in it, that the Spirit was so interested in it, that the New Testament apostles were so interested in it, that the angels were so interested in it speaks of its greatness.  There would have been a lot of things for the prophets to be interested in, plenty of things for the Spirit to be interested in, plenty of things for the New Testament apostles and the angels, but this was the heart of their interest.

There was never any question in the Old Testament about whether God was gracious, He’s always been who He is.  But there was a surpassing grace to come.  There was a greater grace to come than they had even seen in Nineveh, or in Israel.  There was a grace that went way beyond anything they had assumed.  For example, Isaiah the prophet prophesied of it in 45:20.  Listen to what Isaiah says from the Lord.  “Gather yourselves and come, draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; They have no knowledge, who carry about their wooden idol and pray to a god who cannot save.  Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together.  Who has announced this from of old?  Who has long since declared it?  Is it not I, the Lord?  And there is no other God beside Me, a righteous God and a Savior.”

They prophesied a Messiah that would save.  That would bind up the broken-hearted, that would bring salvation to the ends of the earth.  That is why Jesus, when He went to the synagogue in Nazareth and was given the book of the law of the Old Testament, opened it up and read right out of Isaiah chapter 61 these words, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He’s anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are down trodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”  That’s a Messianic prophecy of the coming Savior who would save.  And then He closed the book and He said, “Today the Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

John MacArthur

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read 1 Peter 1:10-12. Do you notice the deep longing of the prophets to see and behold the gospel that was coming? If you have received the gospel, do you take it for granted? Do you cherish it in such a way as would the angels?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
How Rich A Treasure We Possess by Matt Boswell