1 Peter 1:17-21 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.  For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

I have attended a lot of different worship services in my life. Some have been in large, beautiful buildings with stained-glass windows that were filled with astounding, awe-inspiring music. Some have been around a campfire under the stars with folks strumming guitars. Some have been in conventions centers with a makeshift stage and thousands of participants. Some have been in hospital rooms with just a few people. In all of those services we have heard words that have echoed down through the centuries. We listened to the readings from God’s Word. We heard a message based on that Word of God. We received the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord. All of those services, while not the same, had the elements that gave a sense of dignity, reverence and awe to the participants. We were linked to the hosts of heaven, given a foretaste of the feast to come.

That is part of what Peter is referring to when he admonishes you to “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” As those who by faith have stood at the foot of the cross and have seen the stone rolled away from the tomb, we know this life is not all there is. We await our eternal home with Christ, which is ours by virtue of what He has done for us through His death and resurrection.

Peter is sure to drive that home as well: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  

It is amazing that the world puts value on some things more than others, but they are perishable. Do you remember the gift of frankincense mentioned in the Christmas story? At that time in history, that was one of the most valuable substances around. No one considers it valuable anymore. Silver and gold are mentioned here, and they appear to have lasting value. But even those are nothing compared to the most precious thing ever: The blood of Christ.

Luther makes same point in his explanation to the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed. Some of you memorized those words when you were in Confirmation Class. Others of you may have just skimmed over them in an Adult Instruction Class. It is good for all of us to remind ourselves of this blessed teaching on a regular basis.

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

We affirm this teaching of Luther because it is a summary of the Scriptural statements about Jesus and what He as done for us.