Monday 04 September 2023

Psalm 116

Background

Generally, Christians have assumed this letter to be from Peter, the most prominent of Jesus’ disciples in the gospels who then became the leader of the Jerusalem Church. It is thought that it was probably written while he was in prison in Rome before he was executed there (about 64-66 AD). It is not known whether Peter had any actual contact or experience of the churches listed in verse 1, which are in an area just south of the Black Sea, in what is now part of Turkey. The concluding remarks of the letter seem to suggest that it was delivered by, and may actually have been written by, Silvanus (5:12), who was a companion of Paul and may have travelled in that area (in Acts he is referred to by the shorter form of the name, ‘Silas’, and in several of Paul’s letters by the longer form, ‘Silvanus’). Given these circumstances, although several places are mentioned, the letter is a general address on Christian discipleship issues, rather than the specific issues of any particular churches.

The situation for Christians in the Roman Empire in the AD60s was tough – many were facing persecution as the imperial and local Roman authorities saw them as suspicious outsiders with a new religion that challenged established cultural traditions. When there were political problems and local crises, Christians were an easy group to scapegoat. The opening passage of the letter acknowledges this (verse 6) and focuses first on the hope given by the resurrection of Jesus, which can sustain people in the midst of persecution. Secondly, the situation also offers an opportunity for Christians to develop and demonstrate their faith, which is the way to salvation. The focus here is on a future time when Jesus Christ shall come again and be revealed as saving those who have faith in him. However, this faith makes a clear difference to life now as well, filling people with hope and resilience.

To Ponder:

• The general address of this letter to Christians facing challenges has made it helpful to people in different times and places ever since. What do you find in these verses that gives you hope?
• The resurrection of Jesus is presented as the key to appreciating the hope given by God through Jesus Christ. What do you think about faith in the resurrection in our time and situation?

Prayer

Faithful God,
the strength of all who believe
and the hope of those who doubt;
may we, who have not seen, have faith
and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

 The Methodist Worship Book, p.541, Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter