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In 1 Peter 1:19-21 Peter erupts with praise, highlighting seven truths about the glories of Christ:

1.    He is the Sinless Sacrifice

Verse 19 Peter says that Jesus’ precious blood is “like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Jesus is the true and better Passover lamb who was unblemished by sin. Hebrews 4:15-16—For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

  2.    He is the Eternal Son

In verse 20, Peter says Jesus “was foreknown before the foundation of the world.” Jesus did not begin existing in Bethlehem. Before there was time, Jesus existed in perfect relationship with the Father and the Spirit. As John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

  3.    He is God Incarnate

Verse 20 continues, Jesus “was made manifest in the last times.” Jesus did not remain in heaven. In love He took upon human flesh and revealed Himself to us. He shows us what God is like. Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

  4.    He is the Gift of God

Peter tells us that Jesus became a man, He was made manifest “for the sake of you.” The message that the angels delivered to the shepherds is still true today: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

  5.    He is the Author of Your Faith

Peter reminds his hearers in verse 21 that “through him [they] are believers in God.” If you believe in the true God—not the generic god of civil religion or empty morality—it is because of Jesus. It’s not because you were smart enough, cool enough, educated enough, good enough, or strong enough. It’s because of Jesus. This is why Hebrews 12:2 says He is the “author and finisher of our faith.”

  6.    He is the Resurrected Lord

Peter wants us to know that Jesus is more than a sacrifice. Yes, He died a bloody and painful death on a cross, but that wasn’t the end. In verse 21 Peter says that God “raised him from the dead.” The resurrection of Jesus is proof that He is Lord! When Peter preached his first sermon on Pentecost, he said “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. . . .  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:32, 36).

  7.    He is the Glorious King

Peter concludes by saying that the Father “gave [Jesus] glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” Or, as Paul puts it in Philippians 2:9-11, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A Puritan preacher named Jeremiah Burroughs was teaching his congregation about taking communion rightly and he said this: “If you saw the knife that cut the throat of your dearest child, would not your heart rise against that knife? Suppose you came to a table and there is a knife laid at your plate, and it was told to you that this is the knife that cut the throat of your child. Fathers, if you could still use that knife like any other knife, would not someone say, ‘There was but little love to your child?’ So when there is a temptation come to any sin, this is the knife that cut the throat of Christ, that pierced his sides, that was the cause of all his suffering, that made Christ to be a curse. Now will you not look upon that as a cursed thing that made Christ to be a curse? Oh, with what detestation would a man or woman fling away such a knife! And with the like detestation it is required that you should renounce sin, for that was the cause of the death of Christ.” May we do the same. May we so love the glorious Christ that we cannot fathom clinging to the sin that put Him to death. Soli Deo Gloria!