angels long to look

Good evening/morning brothers and sisters,
This week I'm out of town for continuing education. In this case, I'm off to Stony Point Conference Center outside of New York City for the Synod's Early Ministry Institute (EMI). EMI is a conference for folks new to ministry like myself. It's actually a series of three, week-long periods of conversation, worship and reflection over three years. This is my second year and I'm really looking forward to it. I hope you'll pray that God uses this time to strengthen and challenge me to be a more faithful disciple and minister. I'm sending this reading out so early because I'm hitting the road very early Monday morning to be at the conference for a 9 am start.

We read the beginning of 1 Peter yesterday. Today's passage might need a couple of readings to make sense, as the writing is a little complex. Peter's main point is that the ancient prophets caught glimpses of God's amazing grace in Christ but knew that the privilege to see that for themselves wouldn't be theirs. Instead, Peter's generation had the honor of knowing Christ's love in the flesh. Peter is reminding them what a blessing it is to be part of that story and how the experience of Christ's gospel should shape their whole lives in holiness. Even though our experience is somewhat less immediate, the honor of knowing Christ and sharing that message with others can shape our life too.
Blessings as you begin a new week in Christ's service,
Sam

1Peter 1:10-16

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11inquiring 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. 12It 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!


13Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”