3:21
We now move onto somewhat safer ground as Peter draws an analogy between baptism and the ark. Both involve lots of water (unless you believe in baptism by sprinkling :-)), and in both cases the waters represent judgement. In Noah’s day it was God’s judgement upon mankind. With Christ it is again God’s judgement upon mankind, but this time the judgement was taken by Jesus on the cross. The cross sees safely through judgement by providing our justification. It is not the physical washing that matters (this is important because there were various religious rituals around that involved physical washing), but the cleansing of our conscience. On the cross our guilt was faced up to completely, nothing was hidden, and the blood of Jesus provides perfect atonement for our sins. It is the resurrection that proves that Christ’s death was sufficient to pay the full price of our guilt.
3:22
Jesus is now in heaven at the right hand of God. And all angels and authorities and powers are subjected to Him. This matters because it means we have nothing to fear at all. Jesus, the One on whom we are depending on for our justification, is at the right hand of the Father. We can be sure that the Father listens to Him. Moreover, we need fear no other power, for every other power has been subjected to Jesus. Jesus has the last word!
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