I Peter 1: 1-2
(1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
This is Simon Peter, who was one of Jesus' twelve apostles, and walked with Him for the three and a half years of His ministry, witnessed His crucifixion death, and was one of the first to witness His resurrection at the empty tomb. Peter was the spokesperson for the group of the early disciples. He was a fisherman from Bethsaida, and had a home in Capernaum.
To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
Peter wrote this letter to the Christians who lived in the area north of where Paul traveled.
(2) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood:
Peter acknowledges that all three Persons of the Triune God participated in their salvation: God the Father's foreknowledge and planning, God the Spirit's work of sanctifying and setting apart, and God the Son who sprinkled His blood on the sides of His altar the Cross to wash us clean from our sins and our sinfulness.
May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
He blesses them with God's peace and grace, to the most they can receive.
O my Father, please help us to realize how intimately You are involved with us, in loving us so much that You planned to choose us to be Your own family even before You made us.
O Father, Your love for us is beyond what we can comprehend. And Your care for us is complete and total. You will never allow us to face anything that You are not ready to lead us through in Your strength.
Father, these recipients of this letter were going through some serious persecution at this time, and Peter wanted them to experience Your grace and peace in the midst of it all, just as You will comfort us and strengthen us through whatever You allow into our lives.
My Father, keep us strong and bold to disseminate Your Truth throughout the nations of the whole world, so that every living person will hear how much You love us all. Father, You don't want anyone to be left behind without knowing how to come to you. Send us out and enable us to reach them.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
