10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11 inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you Good News by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look!
Peter 1:10-12

St. Augustine of Hippo (A. D. 354 – 430) taught “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” And in reading both testaments one soon discovers how neither is complete or fully understood without the other. Like a bud blossoming into full bloom, so the Old Testament prophecies of the Christ reach their fruition in the New Testament. As one cannot make sense of the second act of a play without the first act, so the Old and New Testaments must be read together.

In today’s text, the Apostle Peter joins the chorus of apostles in the declaring that the Old Testament prophets “testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory.” That Messiah, the Christ, would suffer for our salvation should have surprised no one. The prophets had told us in advance. And just as they had “testified in advance” to Jesus’ sufferings they also “testified in advance” to the glory that would follow.

This was all a part of God’s plan for our salvation, all testified to ahead of time.  Even as Jesus hangs on the cross he is one in perfect control, dispensing forgiveness to those who crucified him, speaking grace to a dying criminal, seeing that his mother is cared for, and proclaiming the victory, “It is finished!” Such wondrous things, our text tells us, are “things into which angels long to look!”

MEDITATION

Soaking in Scripture…
Today’s Andy Moments…