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1 Peter 2:18-25
The historical data in this passage may seem far from our lives today, but these instructions from the Apostle Peter were very real in the time of its writing. Peter instructs the servants to be submissive to their masters and to endure suffering, even when it is undue and wrongfully given. Peter tells of how Jesus suffered wrongfully for the sins of all people in which Jesus did not deserve to be punished, but yet He took it patiently and set the example that is commendable before God (1 Peter 2:20). Peter tells the beloved that this very reason is why they were called to Christ, because He suffered for them, they too should follow the example, and he then quotes from Isaiah 53:9,
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”
Jesus was beaten and suffered persecution before He was taken to the cross; He did not revile, He did not threaten, but He, “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (verse 23b). Jesus took the sins of all mankind to the cross and bore the punishment for them, “that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed” (verse 24). In verse 25 Peter tells of how they have all gone astray like sheep, but have returned to Christ Jesus, the “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
This is a command to follow the example set by Jesus in suffering as it is commendable to God.
We may want to believe that this message does not pertain to us today as it was originally addressed to servants in being punished by their masters, but there is much suffering in the world today that is unjust and undue to those who are being punished. Jesus said in John 15:18-20 (NKJV), “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” This holds true for us still today; the world still hates the beloved in Christ, and they will continue to persecute Christians. This is a harsh truth and reality, but keep in mind when we are falsely accused and falsely punished that Jesus is our commendable example to our Father in heaven – He is our rock and our salvation in which we will stand firm in the face of persecution as we reflect and represent Him in this sinful world today.
Dear LORD,
It is tough to take being persecuted and then not retaliate for being treated wrongly. But Jesus taught us, as does Peter in today’s passage, that being persecuted or treated wrongly as a Christian is part of what is to be expected. Please help us to stand strong in Christ Jesus, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, in the face of being treated wrongly for being a Christian, that we would be commended by You for our faith and dedication to You in following the example set by our Savior who took our punishment for sin that He did not deserve so that we may be set free – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.