2026 Easter Devotions
Friday, May 8
1 Peter 3:13-22
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight lives, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
“… . Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, …”
I have been accused by many of being overly optimist, thinking naïvely about troubling situations, and looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. Often, I suppose, those observations are correct. However, in my defense, I typically respond with the retort, “I guess I’m just a hopeful guy.”
Peter reminds us that hopefulness is what the Gospel gives. It is the result of faithfulness – not in what I or any human can achieve – but in the love of God. After all, God is the Almighty One, Creator of heaven and earth. Trusting in God’s gracious will, loving purpose, and steadfastness naturally results in seeing things differently than the world may seem them.
I think this is where Peter is going with his comment about hope. As people of faith – those who believe in a crucified and resurrected Lord – those who trust in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit – are we not the ones whose identities are grounded in hope. It’s not just a hope for the future glory promised by our Lord. It is an enduring faith in the God of justice, peace, and love who named us, claimed us, and sent us forth as ambassadors of hope in this world.
Peter reminds us that we may be called overly optimistic, naïve, or Pollyanna. However, we should always be alert and ready to give an accounting of the reasons for our hopefulness – our faith and trust in God.
Prayer: Lord, you are the source of our hope and our lives. Help me, this day, in words and actions share abundantly with others the reason for my hopefulness and peace. Amen.