1 Peter 2:21-23

1 Peter 2:21-23

For into this you all were being called: that Christ also suffered for your sake while leaving behind an example for you all in order that you all should follow in His footsteps.  He did not do any sin; neither was deceit being found in His mouth.  While being reviled He did not revile in return.  While suffering He was not making threats.  He was handed over to the one who judges righteously.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

If you haven’t gotten this message at some point in the study of this blog, Peter makes it very clear here.  Jesus came and suffered as an example for us in order that we should follow in His footsteps.  He didn’t die so we could sin and remain in our sin.  He didn’t die so that we could continue to live selfish and self-centered lives.  He died as example to us so that we would be willing to sacrifice for others.  It’s that plain and simple.

Do you follow the example of Jesus?  How so?  Where have you suffered for the sake of others in order to be an example?

Second Thought:

However, Peter doesn’t just leave it at the suffering.  Jesus did not sin.  No deceit was in His mouth.  He was actively reviled yet he did not revile in return.  While suffering, He did not make return threats.  Do you hear the counter-cultural list of statements here?  How many of us have an innate defense mechanism when attacked to go on the offensive?  Isn’t it human nature when we are reviled to revile those who revile us?  Isn’t it human nature when threats are made against us to make threats back?  Yet, this is not Jesus’ example.  He did none of that.  The world reviled Him and He in turn died for them.  That’s the example.  We don’t have permission to return hatred for hatred.

Are you good at turning the other cheek or do you tend to want to return hatred for hatred?  When are you likely to follow the example of Christ?  When are you likely to follow your human instinct?

Third Thought:

How is Jesus able to do this?  I am going to truly start sounding like a broken record now.  Jesus is able to do this because He put His life in the hands of the one who judges righteously.  In other words, Jesus put His trust in the Father.  Jesus’ citizenship – His focus – was in heaven not here on earth!  He can be reviled because there isn’t anything to protect here on this earth.  This is yet another benefit of considering ourselves foreigners in this world.

Are you getting a sense of why it is so important for Peter to think of heaven as his home?  Where do you reap the benefits of such a perspective in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 2:24-25