October 6
“Christ also suffered once for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us – Baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him,” 1 Peter 3:18-22.
The sinless Son of God, the Just One, suffered and died on Calvary’s cross to redeem us. By faith in Him as our Savior, we can stand in God’s presence. The God-Man, Jesus Christ, died and paid the price to redeem us. Earlier, Peter wrote, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” 1 Peter 1:18-19. Jesus did not die to redeem perfect people. He died to save sinners. The apostle Paul wrote, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8.
However, we do not worship and adore a dead Redeemer. He is alive! He was made alive by the Spirit, and then, “He went and preached to the spirits in prison.” He descended into hell and revealed Himself as the Victor over death and the devils. He also revealed Himself as the living Savior who was rejected by the souls of the unbelievers who had died and gone to hell.
A specific reference is made to the people who lived in Noah’s day. During a period of 120 years, while Noah was building the ark, Noah, who is called “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), witnessed to the multitudes of the coming judgment of God by the great Flood. Of course, he was ridiculed for building that enormous ark on dry land! Noah’s preaching and pleading were in vain. Only eight souls were saved – Noah, his wife, their three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives. They were saved not really by the ark which Noah built, but they “were saved through water.” They were saved by God’s grace. The flood waters raised the ark and carefully carried it through the days of the flood until the waters receded and the dry land appeared.
Peter adds, “There is also an antitype which now saves us – Baptism.” As Noah and his family were saved by the grace of God through water, so we are saved by the washing of water connected with God’s Word in Holy Baptism. Saul, who was converted and became the apostle Paul, was told by Ananias, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,” Acts 22:16. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned,” Mark 16:16. By faith in Jesus as our Savior we make the blessings of Baptism our very own.
All the spiritual blessings come to us through the resurrected Jesus, who has ascended into heaven and has gone on before us to prepare a place for us. He told His troubled disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also,” John 14:2-3.
Jesus “is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” He is in the position of power, and is ruling over all things in heaven and on earth. Arrogant people who are in positions of government who reject Jesus as God’s Son and their Savior and instead glory in their own temporary power will learn someday who is really in charge!
“Great King of nations, hear our prayer,
While at Thy feet we fall,
And humbly with united cry
To Thee for mercy call.
The guilt is ours, but grace is Thine;
Oh, turn us not away,
But hear us from Thy lofty throne,
And help us when we pray.” Amen.