That Time Peter Wrote About Mary {Finding God in 1 Peter}

I have long been enamored with Mary in the Bible. You know — Martha’s sister, Mary.

The threw herself at Jesus’ feet when her brother died and made Jesus cry Mary.

The sister got super annoyed with her for just sitting there hanging out with Jesus while she did all the work for dinner Mary.

This is the Mary who crashed her brother’s I-was-dead-and-now-I’m-not party by pouring thousands of dollars worth of perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiping it off with her hair.

This is the every time-we-find-her-in-the-Bible-she’s-at-Jesus’-feet Mary.

I am both intrigued and inspired by this Mary. (And, no, I do not have a feet fetish). Her passion for Jesus kept her regularly at His feet. And her always-at-Jesus’-feet habit kept her constantly pointing to Him, constantly inspiring His praise.

The fact that Mary lived in utter awe of Jesus tainted every single part of everything she did. 

That’s what Peter was trying to get across when he wrote this second chapter of his first book.

I read through the first two chapters yesterday trying to find the nugget to bank on for this post. (Seriously. There is so much in this book to dig into, it’s hard to find just one.) So I started by letting God know I wasn’t sure I was the one to lead you all through this Great Summer Slowdown study. (Have I mentioned I’m needing some clarity lately?)

Then I asked Him — again — what exactly it is that He has called me to do. What do You want for me? (Because, really, doesn’t every 42-year-old struggle with knowing what she wants to be when she grows up?) (She says sarcastically.)

So I wrote down everything 1 Peter 1 and 2 tell me to do. It was kind of a lot. Prepare your mind for action. Set your hope completely on the grace Jesus will bring when He returns. Be holy. Long for pure spiritual milk.

Then I got to verse 9 of chapter 2 and my list changed from what He has called me to do to who He has made me. And as I got to then end of that list in verse 9 I found purpose for myself…

And just two verses later… more purpose.

All that holy living and readiness and sober-mindedness? It comes from who God has made us. Royal priests. Chosen people. His very own.

And the good works? All to point to Him.

Just like Mary.

See, the more I know Him, the more I want to be like Him. And the more I am like Him, the more I point to Him. And the more I point to Him, the more I glorify Him, make Him famous, bring praise to Him.

And this is my purpose.

So Mary had a good thing going spending all that time at Jesus’ feet. I mean, even now, some two-thousand years later, she’s bringing praise to Almighty God just by hanging with the King of Life.

A Question For You: Who in your life points you to Jesus?

**Are you journaling through First Peter with us? Join in the conversation. What did you learn this week from 1 Peter?

**We’re journaling through 1 Peter this summer. Slowing down and taking it one chapter per week. Want to join in? Here are some questions to help you along the way?