Made Alive

 "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him."

— 1 Peter 3:18-22

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Peter's Christology (theology of Christ) is clear and stunning. Jesus, Your once and final suffering on the cross—the righteous for the unrighteous—was to pay the full penalty of my sin in order to restore my broken relationship back to God. You were fully dead in the body in the grave but on the third day made fully alive by the Holy Spirit. After being made alive before your appearance to the disciples, you preached your victory over sin, death, and hell to the demonic spirits imprisoned there. These disobedient spirits were the ones who "did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling" (Jude 6) during the days of Noah.

Jesus, Your proclamation of victory over hell continues today. I am saved by Your resurrection. You have gone into Heaven and are seated at God's right hand. Every angel, authority, and power is in submission to You. There is no power upon this earth, over this earth, or under this earth that is greater than You. Therefore, when the powers of hell advance against me or against Your church, I remind them of Your authority over them and that I am in You.

Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me by Your resurrection. Thank You for Your triumph over sin, death, and hell. Today, I rest knowing that no power is greater than You!

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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