Dave Burke

He was thinking of a goldsmith when he wrote this – the man who tested the quality of precious metal during the smelting process. Taking a sample and heating it to melting point, scraping off the scum and heating it again until he could see bright metal where once there had just been dirt. That is what God is doing to you and me when we feel as though we are in the fire!

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get people of widely different ages, attitudes and outlooks to meet and communicate and learn to love and value each-other? How wonderful it would be if children could grow up in a large extended family that includes the rich as well as the financially excluded, black as well as white; a place where class-distinction or racial prejudice don’t matter? If such an energetic mixed community committed itself to serve those who do not yet belong, imagine the impact they would have! I would love my kids to grow up in a community like that wouldn’t you?

The moment you put your faith in Jesus two things happen; first, the Holy Spirit enters your body and begins to work in your life. Second, you become part of his church. The church is a great place to be because Jesus is there. He is the centre of the church's life, of our lives.

You have to remind yourself as you read these verses that Peter was an eye witness to these events, looking on in amazement at Jesus behaviour as he was beaten senseless, stripped naked and nailed hands and feet to a wooden cross (22-23) you can almost hear the awed amazement in his voice.