Spurgeon Morning and Evening March 1 PM

Biblical Context

The First Epistle of Peter is a powerful letter written by the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Peter, an eyewitness to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, wrote this letter to a group of scattered believers in what is modern-day Turkey. These Christians were facing tough times – persecution, hardship, and social pressure because of their faith. Peter’s aim was to give them hope, strength, and practical guidance on how to live out their faith amidst suffering.

He speaks about the living hope believers have in Christ, their new birth, and their standing as a holy nation, a royal priesthood. In this context, when Peter declares, “He is precious,” he’s not just stating a fact; he’s reminding those facing trials that their faith isn’t in vain. He wants them to remember the incomparable value of the one they follow, a value that outweighs any earthly suffering or loss.

Key Word Study

The word translated as “precious” in 1 Peter 2:7 comes from the Greek word ἔντιμος (entimos). This word means something that is highly valued, esteemed, or honorable. It’s used to describe something that has great worth, not just in terms of monetary value, but also in respect and significance. When Peter uses entimos to describe Jesus, he means Jesus is not just valuable but held in the highest regard, considered extremely important, and worthy of honor above all else. It’s about His unique and irreplaceable quality in the life of a believer.

All Delights Center in Our Beloved

Just like all the rivers, big and small, eventually run into the sea, all your true delights should center in Jesus. Think about it: every good thing you experience, every moment of joy, every bit of peace you find – it all finds its fullest meaning and greatest satisfaction when you see it through Him. He isn’t just one source of joy; He’s the very core of all joy. Without Him, even the happiest moments can feel a little hollow, can’t they?

His Unmatched Beauty and Worth

The source tells us His glances outshine the sun. Imagine that! The sun gives life and light to our whole world, but one look from Jesus has even more power and beauty. His face is fairer than the choicest flowers – those perfect blooms we admire for their beauty and delicate nature. And no fragrance can compare to the breath of His mouth. We treasure rare perfumes and sweet scents, but they’re nothing next to Him. When you put gems from the mine and pearls from the sea next to His worth, they become worthless things. They just don’t measure up to His preciousness. He’s simply beyond comparison in every way.

His Value is Beyond Our Words

Peter tells us that Jesus is precious, but even he didn’t and couldn’t tell us *how* precious. None of us can fully understand or explain the true value of God’s unspeakable gift. It’s just too big for our minds and too deep for our words. You can’t put a number on His worth, you can’t describe it enough with human language. Words can’t set forth the preciousness of the Lord Jesus to His people, nor fully tell how essential He is to their satisfaction and happiness. He’s necessary for your joy, and you can’t truly be happy without Him.

The Famine of His Absence

Believer, haven’t you felt it? Even when you’re surrounded by plenty, there’s a real hunger, a sore famine, if your Lord is absent. The sun might be shining brightly, making everything look cheerful, but if Christ has hidden Himself, all the world just turns black to you. Or it might be night, and if the bright and morning star is gone, no other star can give you even a tiny ray of light. Without Him, this world feels like a howling wilderness. It’s empty, lonely, and without comfort. You really miss Him when He’s not clearly present.

Life Without Him Changes Everything

If once He hides Himself from us, everything changes. The flowers in our garden, the ones we love so much, wither. Our pleasant fruits decay, becoming useless. The birds suspend their songs – the joy and melody are gone. A tempest overturns our hopes; all the good things we were looking forward to get swept away. All earth’s candles, no matter how many there are, can’t make daylight if the Sun of Righteousness is eclipsed. No matter how much light others try to give you, it’s just not enough. You need His light to really see.

He is Everything to Us

He isn’t just *part* of our life; He’s everything. He is the soul of our soul, the light of our light, the life of our life. Think about it, dear reader, what would you do in the world without Him? When you wake up and look forward to the day’s battle – all the challenges and struggles you know are coming – how would you face them? What would you do at night, when you come home jaded and weary from it all, if there were no door of fellowship between you and Christ? Where would you find comfort? Where would you find strength? You’d be lost, wouldn’t you?

He Never Forsakes His Own

But blessed be His name, He won’t let us try our lot without Him. He knows we can’t make it on our own. Jesus never forsakes His own. That’s a promise you can hold onto. Even when you feel Him distant, He’s still there, holding you close, guiding you. Yet, let the thought of what life would be without Him make His preciousness even greater in your eyes. Let that picture of a desolate, dark world without Him help you see just how much He means to you and how deeply you really need Him every single moment.