“and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

(1 Peter 1:8–9 NAS95)

Today is Thursday the 9th of April, Holy Week.

Today, as it was in First Century Jerusalem, Jesus is going to celebrate the Passover meal with his disciples.

This is a story that most of the world is familiar with, whether through arts, films and literature.

I have been reading the letter of 1st Peter through out the outbreak C19, it has given me so much encouragement and hope.

Peter was at the table with Jesus at this “last supper”, together with all of the other disciples. One of them even reclined at his chest and others just listened to Jesus speak about what was to unfold and giving them warning of what was to come.

The nearness, the intimacy, the sharing a meal with friends cannot be underestimated or ignored. At the table things are said, good things and challenging words are sometimes exchanged.

This is experience was so unique to Peter and to the rest of the disciples that at times, I confess I am jealous, I would have loved to be in the room, seating next or even close enough to Jesus.

When Peter writes in his letter, ““and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”(1 Peter 1:8–9 NAS95)

Peter’s words come with a deep understanding and appreciation of those who:

• Have not seen Him
• You do not see Him now

But  by God’s Powerful Presence, The Holy Spirit, the scattered church under persecution and suffering are able to:

•  Love Him
•  Believe in Him
• Greatly rejoice with an inexpressible Joy
•  Full of Glory

The outcome of this revelation of Jesus, who is unseen, yet very much alive in the hearts of his followers are:

• Obtaining salvation through faith in Christ

We have a virus, Covit19, that we cannot see and we know that it is real, nasty, making people ill to the point of death.

Can I plead with you do not underestimate Jesus, even though we do not see him now, He is real as the air we breathe!

An encounter with Jesus is of great importance, it is a matter of choosing life over death.