Inspiration For Spiritual Maturity

Peter's first letter dealt with the persecution of the believers and his second letter dealt with false teachers. His letters directed the reader's thoughts to the suffering, death, and resurrection of Yeshua ha Mashiach - the suffering of Jesus that led to salvation. Peter taught the pattern for our new life in Yeshua in the framework of the suffering of the Mashiach. He reminded his reader that Yeshua's suffering served as a substitute for sinners. He drew many images from Isaiah 53, where it focuses on the suffering servant - the sacrifice of Yeshua. The sacrifices in the Old Testament represented the gospel - they symbolized the Good News - for the children of Israel. The sacrifices directed the worshiper to door to a relationship and intimacy with God. The importance and value in the divinely appointed Temple services reveals the gospel plan of salvation. It is revealed more fully in the New Testament but is made clearer by an understanding of the Old Testament. We must understand the Levitical system as presented in the Old Testament to understand and appreciate better the gospel as set forth in the New Testament. Peter's letters reminded his readers of the things they already knew from both their study of the Scriptures - what we call the Old Testament - and what they had been taught about the Good News.