I love how Peter, as a good, tender-hearted pastor who understands the people that he's speaking to, ends with reminding us that we serve a victorious, reigning Savior. He says in verse 18, it talks about the resurrection, at the end of 21, "...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who (Christ) has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him."
I love this. This means there is never a situation, there is never a location, there is never a relationship that I'm ever in, that isn't ruled by my Savior, King Christ. And Peter wants you to understand this, this is where Christ is our example and our encouragement that as Jesus suffered, and then ended up in glorious vindication; we suffer, and one day we will experience, with Him, glorious vindication.
Elsewhere in Scripture, it says when we look back at our moments of suffering, from the vantage point of eternity, we will name them as light and momentary afflictions. Your Savior sits at the right hand of the Father; He intercedes for us.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul characterizes His work, this reigning savior is now putting enemies under His feet. He's working out the spoils of the victory He accomplished in His life, death, and resurrection. That final enemy under His feet will be death, and when that enemy is conquered, He will say, "Beloved, enter into my presence, all things are now ready."
The cross was not a defeat. The cross was a glorious victory! The death of Christ was not a defeat. The resurrection was a vindication! He now sits at the right hand of Father. And so I have reason to be hopeful, 'right here, right now,' because the one who controls everything is my Savior. I am in His family. He loves me; He cares for me! We've already heard that His ears are attentive to my cry. He rules not just for His glory, but He rules for my good. I love the 'right here, right now' hope of this passage.
And Peter, again, is writing to people who are facing very hard things. As he's written to them, he's laid before them the difficult commands of the Lord. He's called them to a heart that's ruled by the Lord. He's called them to moral preparedness. He's called them to a good conscience before the Lord. He's called them to be willing to follow their Savior in suffering.
Now, I imagine it would be pretty easy for these people just to be overwhelmed. And so he wants to say, "Don't you understand?" This One who willingly gave Himself for you is now sitting at the right hand of the Father. And He rules things for your benefit. He intercedes on your behalf. He hears your cry. He is with you, and He is for you. You can have hope in Him. Yes, you will face hard things. Yes, you will fail. You are never your hope. Your reigning savior is!
