This week we begin worship with:
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him,you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This is the second of two "though"s that Peter acknowledges. The first is that we are being tested by various trials (1 Peter 1:6). The second is our passage today that the Ascension has already occurred, and we no longer see our Lord. Neither, however, should prevent joy.
Think of the best gift ever. When we had only a few nickels to rub together my wife bought me an iPod for Christmas. I was stunned. Being stunned, being unable to speak (aneklalētos), is the level of joy described here.
Joy is over the destination; happiness is over arrival. Compare getting in the car because you are going on vacation with settling down into the chair on the beach once you arrive.
Our destination here is the salvation (sōtēria) of our soul. This has been said to be a mixture of "rescue, restoration, and purpose". In Greek, it is the result of having a savior (sōtēr).
The only way to have this joy is the "ing" of "obtaining" (v. 9). We have two "though"s to endure but we are on our way.
You-all packed? Let's go.
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