Perishable Things – April 29, 2023

It was not with perishable things . . . that you were redeemed.
1 Peter 1:18

Perishable Things

In the corner of a museum in Springfield, Illinois, there is a special room where people enter quietly. In that room is a clear glass case. The case has special lighting. The interior of the case keeps a specific temperature and level of humidity. All of this technology is necessary because of what the case contains. Inside that case is Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.

As you view this hat, there are two features that may jump out at you. One is that, on the hat’s brim, you can see wear marks from the first two fingers of Mr. Lincoln’s right hand from all the times he tipped his hat in greeting or held it steady in a stiff wind.

The second feature is more sobering. It is the simple fact that the hat looks old. For all the efforts to preserve the hat’s condition, the passage of time has still made its impact. With age has come deterioration. As time goes on, the deterioration will continue.

Deterioration does not just strike famous hats of former presidents, of course. Everything in this sinful, fallen world deteriorates. Everything wears out. Everything is perishable.

And so when God chose to buy us back from the curse of our sin, the payment price could not be something perishable. It could not be something of fleeting, temporary value. That’s why God sent his Son.

As a result, God’s forgiveness of your sins will not deteriorate. The peace you possess in Christ will not expire. The Lord’s promises to you will never perish. Not because of a museum’s preservation technology but because of the perfect life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, because of Jesus, your promises to me will never perish. In troubled times, comfort me with this truth. Amen.