Follow Christ’s example – it’s your calling
1 Peter 2:18-25
18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
None of us want to think about hard times, or as Peter calls it “suffering “. Who wants to put up their hand to suffer injustice? Peter was writing to Christians scattered across the countries around the eastern Mediterranean, people who were entering a period of dreadful persecution by the orders of the Roman emperor, Nero. Unimaginable suffering was ahead.
Peter puts it plainly in v20- 21 that we are called to live godly lives despite being subjected to unjust suffering.
We are called to follow Jesus’ example of how to live in a hostile world, and how to react to injustice- not just external but things “life” throws at us. Rather than taking revenge or becoming bitter, we are to follow Jesus’ example- he who suffered more injustice than we ever will.
And he went through all that so we could be saved(“healed”), so we could be “gathered “back to God, our wonderful shepherd.”
But how can I possibly model myself on Jesus? We live in an era when our right to fairness, self-determination and freedom are front of mind. When injustice should not be tolerated. However, Jesus calls us to live another way. But how?
By understanding the depth of his suffering for me. Holy Sprit open my eyes.
By always drawing near to him, by which I mean spending time with him. In those times he comforts me, he reminds me “I love you.”
By trusting him, not myself.
I will find unimaginable peace there, and the strength to I live out my calling- to suffer with Jesus.
Dear Lord Jesus, your suffering for me as you were arrested, tried, humiliated and ultimately died overwhelms me afresh today. You did not put yourself first. You gave up everything so I can have eternal life. You showed what it really means to be a servant. I am humble with gratitude before you. Amen
Written by Claire Moore