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May 7, 2023

Chosen and Holy

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Series: Lectionary Category: Biblical Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2–10

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2023

1 Peter 2:2-10

 “Chosen and Holy”

After a span of seventy years, a new monarch has been crowned in England. In a ceremony rich in tradition and pageantry yesterday at Westminster Abbey in London, Charles III was crowned as King and Camilla as Queen of the United Kingdom. Charles is now the fortieth monarch to rule the kingdom since 1066, nearly 1000 years ago. Some of you may have gotten up early yesterday morning to watch all of this, but as many have said, it is a very different time as Charles begins his reign than when his mother, Elizabeth, was crowned Queen in 1953. Time will tell how things will go under his leadership as king. I have been thinking about all of this in light of today’s Epistle lesson, where Peter describes those who belong to Christ in these terms: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). In addition to being called “chosen” and “holy,” those who belong to Christ are also called “royal.” Though we likely don’t consider ourselves as kings and queens – royalty – that is how God sees us. The message for today, based on that Epistle lesson, is entitled “Chosen and Holy.” May the Lord’s rich and abundant blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word for Jesus’ sake.  

The apostle Peter’s words here in the first epistle, or letter, that bears his name, were originally written to newly baptized believers sometime in the early to mid-60s of the first century. Peter was giving instruction to them on how to live as God’s beloved sons and daughters. These new believers were already experiencing suffering and persecution because of their faith in Jesus. They were becoming discouraged and disheartened about this, and so Peter writes to them, reminding them who they are and Whose they are. They are children of the heavenly Father! Peter encourages them to stand firm in faith despite what they are going through, looking to Jesus who endured suffering and persecution just as they themselves were enduring. Peter is sometimes called the “apostle of hope” because of the hope-filled message that he brought to first-century believers as well as twenty-first century believers like us today. In many respects, the age in which we live now mirrors the age of the early church. It was then, and it is now, a time when the church and the message of the Gospel were viewed with great suspicion by the general population. If there was not out-and-out hostility, there most certainly was great indifference to the message of the Gospel. Then as now, people were largely distracted, self-focused, looking for identity, purpose and meaning in things that do not last. In the midst of this, Peter calls upon the people of Christ to stand strong in hope and remain steadfast in faith, trusting that despite what present circumstances may look like, the future is in the hands of the Lord who will make good on his promise to deliver his people and bestow on them the riches of an inheritance that is kept in heaven for them. That promise is the same promise that we hold fast to in our own lives today.

Today it is our joy to celebrate with four young people as they reaffirm their Baptismal vows in the Rite of Confirmation. Sitting in the front pew this morning, they are a little nervous, as we all were when we ourselves were confirmed in the faith. In preparing today’s sermon, I was also thinking about each of them, and the journey of faith that continues forward from this day of their Confirmation. Confirmation does not equal graduation, as I often say to Confirmation students and parents. There’s so much learning and growing in faith that still needs to happen. It’s not an overnight process, but occurs over the course of a lifetime. This side of heaven, we are never “there” in terms of our faith growth and development. As Peter writes at the close of his second epistle: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Keep on growing! Continue to grow in that saving faith which was first given you in the cleansing waters of holy Baptism! That is my encouragement to each of Confirmands. In the days to come, it will be very easy to fall away from the faith. There will be all kinds of pressure on you to do this. Because you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God’s own possession, hold fast to what you have been given. Hold onto this gift faith like the precious treasure that it is.

All of this comes from our risen Savior Jesus Christ, who died for us that we might live for him. He shed his blood to pay the price for our sins, and he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, as we heard in today’s Gospel lesson (John 14:1-14). The world doesn’t like to hear this, and there are many who will say that Jesus isn’t the only way to heaven. You have probably heard people say something like this. How do we respond? What do we say? This becomes an opportunity for us to bear witness to our faith. In the next chapter of 1 Peter that follows today’s Epistle reading, Peter has this to say: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). That’s our calling: to make that defense, that statement of faith, but doing it in such a way that it is grace-filled. That is a tall order, and we may feel like we’re not up for it. But this is the very thing that the Holy Spirit will help us do. The Spirit is more than able to supply what is needed; putting the right words into our mind and mouth (Mark 13:11). This is the purpose for why God has called us to be that chosen race, that royal priesthood, that holy nation, that people for God’s own possession, “that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9b). God has called us not to just sit around as we wait for Jesus to come again. God has called us to proclaim – to make known, to broadcast, to declare publicly and privately – all that God in Christ has done for us. How can we remain passive and silent when there is so much that needs to be shared with the world? This is a call to action for the redeemed people of God!

That sign of royalty – the crown – is something that the Lord promises to his own in a verse that is often given to young people on their Confirmation: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b). My chosen and holy brothers and sisters in Christ, Confirmands and fellow members of this congregation, may the risen Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, strengthen and keep us all in faith, that we may proclaim the wonderful deeds of him who has called us out of darkness into his own marvelous light.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

other sermons in this series

Feb 11

2024

Jesus Only

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Scripture: Mark 9:2–9 Series: Lectionary

Jan 7

2024

Star and Dove

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Scripture: Mark 1:4–11 Series: Lectionary

Dec 31

2023

Depart in Peace

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Scripture: Luke 2:22–40 Series: Lectionary