1 Peter 3:13-22 (NRSV)
Read 1 Peter 3:13-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? Verse 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, Verse 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
Verse 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. Verse 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Verse 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, Verse 19in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, Verse 20who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.
Verse 21And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Verse 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Devotion
Peter is writing to people who are in the midst of persecution and great suffering. I have had the privilege of ministering to many people as they suffer. During these times I have been reminded of the words of Peter that we have been saved through the waters of baptism and have life eternal through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There was a nurse in Salem who was always professional toward me but seemed cool when it came to my ministry to her patients. One day word came that she was ill and wanted to see me. I went to see her. She thanked me for calling on her patients and apologized for the times she was cool. She asked me to forgive her, and she now wanted me to minister to her in her illness. She asked to be baptized. We talked about the gifts of God that come to her in baptism. She was baptized with great rejoicing for God’s gifts.
Prayer
Lord, help to remember our baptism with thanksgiving. Amen.