December 16th, 25: Receiving God's Kiss of Love and Living in Hope: Reflections from First Peter

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One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you.

TODAY'S EPISODE:

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today’s episode, December 16th, 2025, Hunter invites us into the pages of First Peter, encouraging listeners with the message that our God is both with us and is love itself—even when life’s trials seem overwhelming. Together, we journey through the themes of hope, transformation, and sincere love for one another, guided by Peter’s call to embrace God’s grace and kindness, and to support each other in our faith.

As Hunter reminds us, the story of God’s love ends not in betrayal but in an eternal embrace—a kiss of peace and acceptance. The episode closes with prayers for strength, peace, and unity, urging us to let God’s joy be our strength and to share that hope with those around us. Whether you’re tuning in during a difficult season or simply seeking daily encouragement, today’s message is a gentle reminder: you are deeply loved.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

This letter ends with a kiss. Peter admonishes the church to kiss one another, to offer each other a kiss of love. Christ offers us a kiss today, too. Even in the reading of this word, we can receive a kiss of love, his embrace. We can receive the kindness that he offers us. That's what we have in Christ. And our story will end just like this letter ends, with a kiss and an embrace from him.

Judas offered Jesus a kiss, but it was a kiss of betrayal. All of us have offered God that same kiss of betrayal, in one way or another. We once were enemies of God, opposed to Him. But God was never opposed to us. And he was never our enemy. And he does not deal with us as our sins deserve. He does not betray us as we have betrayed Him. He does not even turn away from us in the wake of our betrayals.

No. He does something absolutely scandalous. He offers us love in exchange for our betrayal. He doesn't pay back in kind. He gives us instead a kiss of love. And that love cost Him. The price was paid not in silver and gold, but with his precious blood shed for all of us—the sinless, spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Because Christ gave us a kiss of love for our betrayal, Peter says we must show sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters. You are cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth. So now he says you must show sincere love for each other. Love each other deeply with all your heart. That's verse 22. This letter ends with a kiss. So let's do that.

I know that right now is kind of a strange time to be thinking about, let alone actually trying to do what the Scriptures are admonishing us to do here. It might be a real long time before we offer each other a kiss of love at our churches. But there are other ways that we can show kindness to each other. We can embrace each other regardless of our differences. We can do what Peter has said here. We can do what the Spirit implores us to do, even if for a while we have to hold back from actually physically kissing one another. But the point still stands, doesn't it? It does indeed.

Christ offers us that kiss today. Go ahead and receive it. Allow yourself to receive that. You might cringe at first at the thought for a whole host of reasons, but just take a moment, will you, and receive God's kiss, God's embrace of you.

May it be so.

TODAY'S PRAYERS:

Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.  

Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  

And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen

And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray...

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen. 

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