“10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” NIV

Here is a postscript to yesterday’s thought. There are a number of other important things to highlight in the passage:

  • Salvation in the crucified and risen Jesus (11) is all of ‘’grace’’. It is a work of God, and it is undeserved. What a sense of privilege we should carry: ‘’Do you realise how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!’’ (Verse 12: The Message);
  • Searching into spiritual things – into the Word of God with its over-arching theme of salvation in Jesus – should always be done ‘’intently…and with the greatest care’’ (10b). It requires diligence, recognising that we are dependent on the Holy Spirit for understanding;
  • Biblical leadership is never self-serving (12a). It is always for the sake of others. Simon Sinek reflects a Biblical understanding of leadership in his book title: ‘Leaders eat last’;
  • The Christian life is cruciform in shape. Jesus gives us the pattern for the life of discipleship. It involves suffering then glory (11b). If it is a Good Friday in your experience, you know that Easter Sunday is coming!