Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy – 1 Peter 1:8
Can you imagine what it must have been like to walk with Jesus in person? The apostle Peter did. He heard His voice daily, shared meals with Him, and witnessed both His suffering and His resurrection. Yet what amazes Peter most is the joy and faith of those who believe in Christ without ever having seen Him face to face.
Peter’s Life with Jesus
For three years Peter lived alongside the Lord. He listened to His teaching, ate at His table, and saw His miracles firsthand. He watched Jesus be arrested, judged, and crucified. Then he saw Him alive again, touched His scars, and witnessed His ascension into heaven. These experiences shaped Peter’s faith and gave him a deep understanding of the power of the gospel.
Faith Beyond Sight
Peter must have marveled at how the message of Jesus transformed people who had never seen Him in person. Their faith, joy, and love for Christ confirmed that the gospel is living and active. This was a source of great encouragement for Peter as he preached about forgiveness, hope, and new life through Jesus.
Joy That Cannot Be Explained
We share in this same reality today. The faith of others inspires us, and our own hearts are filled with God’s love in ways we can hardly describe. His presence brings a joy that goes beyond words, a gladness that flows from knowing we are His children. This is the miracle of faith: to believe without seeing, and to rejoice in the fullness of His love.