Daily Devotional | How Great a Salvation

What did people living in Old Testament times understand about salvation? Charles Spurgeon explained how the message of the Cross runs throughout the entire Bible: “The Old Testament and the New are one, inspired by the same Spirit and filled with the same Subject, namely, the one promised Messiah. The Prophets foretold what the Apostles reported. The Seers looked forward and the Evangelists look backward—but their eyes meet at one place—they see eye to eye and both behold the Cross.”

Peter explains our salvation in biblical and historical context. The gospel is all about the “sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow” (v. 11). The Old Testament prophets looked forward to His coming, which was revealed to them by the Spirit. But although they “searched intently and with the greatest care,” their curiosity about exactly when and how this would happen was not satisfied (v. 10). Like others, they “did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (Heb. 11:13).

It was revealed to the prophets “that they were not serving them- selves but you” (v. 12). They were providing pieces of the larger puzzle and didn’t always understand the full implications of their own words. Not even angels have been given the full picture of God’s gracious plan of redemption. With Christ’s first advent, death, and resurrection, it has now been more clearly revealed, both to Peter’s original audience and to believers today (see Rom. 16:25–27).

This is encouraging for at least two reasons. First, as we’re following a Messiah who suffered and then was glorified, we, too, can expect our suffering to lead to glorification. Second, the same Spirit who worked in the Old Testament prophets works in the church today (v. 12)!

>> Have you trusted Christ for your salvation and spiritual rebirth? If not, please take this important step today! To learn more, go to moodybible.org and search for “How to Know Christ.”

Pray with Us

What a privilege it is to be able to look back on both the Old and New Testaments and see Your promises not only revealed, but many fulfilled! We too have the same Spirit of Christ in us, and we too serve You.

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.