Praising Hosanna

Reading through 1 Peter tonight, I came across so many verses praising God and rejoicing over what Jesus did on the cross. How timely, I thought, as we head into Good Friday and then Easter weekend. Reading through these verses also reminded me that I should be constantly in remembrance of these things: Jesus' death on the cross, his resurrection, and our redemption through him. I can just imagine Peter as he wrote this letter: eyes full of wonder at Christ's mercy, a smile one could only describe as joy, and pausing now and again to lift his hands in praise to his glorious Father and reflect on His awesome promises. At least, that's how I felt reading this passage tonight:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5).

And then, Peter humbles us with this strikingly beautiful reflection of Christ's attitude at his death and his death's meaning for our lives as believers:

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:23-25).

Christ's character, even at his death, was blameless. Here we see him, "a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:19) -- humble amidst public humiliation, pain, and a cross of shame. What an amazing, loving, and awesome Savior we have. How glorious is our God.