Jesus Versus Silver & Gold

1 Peter 1: 18-19

You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.

“Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee.  In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk…”  I think that is how the song goes.  Based on Acts, a crippled man healed by Peter and John.  In the early chapters.  I think it was Peter and John. 

It makes the point that Peter is trying to make here.  I wonder if Peter had that incident in mind when he wrote these words.  Silver and gold were the most precious metals of that time.  They are still precious, the bases of commodity trading.  Survivalists talk about getting your money converted to gold, as that will hold its value when the end comes. 

Except, in the divine order, they are perishable just like everything else.  Money is paid in ransom, silver and gold.  But in this context, they are not enough.  They are not anything in point of fact, except something perishable.  If they are perishable, what then is imperishable? 

God is imperishable.  There is a Creator/creation distinction going on here.  Gold and silver are part of the creation, therefore perishable in ultimate terms.  God is not perishable.  Neither then is Jesus, the Son of God, the Incarnation of God.  It is all part of God’s plan. 

Peter is setting riches side by side with Jesus.  He is calling upon us to choose.  Well, he is not really setting them side by side.  He’s declared the loser in the match.  And that is the silver and gold.