Message Bearers

The Romans had a sophisticated way of bringing messages from the provinces to the emperor. Seutonius, a Roman historian, wrote,

“To enable what was going on in each of the provinces to be reported and known more speedily and promptly, Caesar Augustus at first stationed young men at short intervals along the military roads, and afterward post-chaises [carriages with two or three men]. The latter has seemed the more convenient arrangement since the same men who bring the dispatches from any place can, if the occasion demands, be questioned as well.” (The Lives of the Caesars, The Life of Augustus)

God had his message bearers – the apostles meaning “the send-out ones,” and the evangelists representing “those who proclaim the evangel, the good news.” The Greek word evangelion meant “good news” or “good message,” meaning a ruler had been born or a ruler had won a victory over an enemy.

Peter said that the prophets who prophesied the good news that the Messiah would suffer but be glorified (resurrected) searched for when it would happen and were told not in their lifetime (1 Pet 1:10–12a). But the situation was different now:

That anticipated good news “has now been proclaimed again (ana-angello) to you through those who gospelized (eu-angellizo) you, being sent by the Holy Spirit from heaven.” (1:12b)

Being Hebrew people, Peter’s audiences would have heard about the prophets and their waiting for the Messiah to come, suffer, and be glorified. That was the first time they heard about this message. But they heard it again (ana) a second time when the apostles and evangelists proclaimed it to them, saying that the prophetic message of the Messiah suffering and being glorified had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The word evangelist (“good news-ers”) comes from evangelion “good news.” Since Peter used the verb form instead of the noun “evangelist,” it is appropriate to translate “those who gospelized you” or “those who shared the good news with you.”

These women and men were commissioned by the Holy Spirit from heaven. They didn’t go on their own accord or were sent by the apostles. Peter said this to authenticate the source and authority of the message. Just as Caesar could send the message bearers to his provinces, the Holy Spirit sent these evangelists to his people.

This message they received, the gospel message, was so secretive and precious that.

“the angels desired to take a sneak-peak into it.” (1:12c)

The prophets who proclaimed this message of the Messiah suffering and glorifying wanted it so bad that they sought, searched, and examined when it would happen and were told not in their lifetime. Similarly, the angels in heaven desired to take a sneak-peak into it (literally: “stoop down to look at it”). Peter used the word epithumeo, meaning a great longing, almost like the anticipation the kids have on the night of Christmas morning, wanting to open and see their presents or students waiting for the results of their final exams. That good news wasn’t for the prophets or the angels but for the exiled Hebrew believers – those who received and accepted the message proclaimed by the evangelists.

Often, we tend to forget the value of our salvation. Please remember that the prophets wanted it but weren’t given it. The angels anxiously waited to see what it was and how glorious it would be and didn’t get the sneak-peak. But we received this great salvation, the good news of the Messiah suffering and being glorified. We are truly blessed!