Under the rule of a different king

This week we begin a new series on 1 Peter. In the book, Peter says that he was writing from “Babylon”. Peter, of course, was not in Babylon at all, but in Rome; the seat of power in the Roman Empire, and the source of persecution for much of the church.

In writing this book, he is encouraging Christians to be just like Jesus in the way that they patiently endure suffering. He wants to bring them hope; that even though they are a misunderstood minority, living under the rule of a different king, they can be witnesses to the goodness of God by the way they live their lives.

Today, Christians are often a misunderstood minority, living under the rule of a different king. Any time we face suffering and adversity is an opportunity to display Christ-likeness, and witness to the goodness of God.

1 Peter is a timely word for the Church today. May God speak powerfully through it to us over the coming weeks.