CHRIST CALLS US TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS OF SUFFERING.
1 Peter 2:13-25
Q.1. What kind of citizens should Christians be? How should we treat those appointed to govern? Where does God fit into all this? – (1 Pet.2:13-17) = Christians are encouraged to submit to all human governing authorities, since these authorities are ordained by God. Throughout history it has been difficult to obey this command and to submit to ungodly leaders, because of the huge gap between the spirit of the world and the holiness of God. However, the purposes of God and His mission on earth are enhanced, as we keep doing right. In this way, we – silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Pet.2:15). As servants of Christ, we should show the power that Christ has given us, to – Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil but use it as bond-slaves of God (1 Pet.2:16). We can safely trust in our sovereign God, and rest in the knowledge that He will reward us.
Q.2. How are servants to respond to their masters? Does this still apply if a boss is unreasonable? What should be the chief concern of a believer? – (1 Per.2:18-20) = As servants of Christ, we must also submit to those over us. In a day of slavery, we could imagine that God may encourage slaves to rise up and throw off the yoke of slavery. However, this is not God’s primary plan for sinners. We learn with these kinds of injunctions by Peter (and Paul), that God’s true program on earth is about setting sinners free, not in causing disorder that would only cause greater grief (1 Pet.2:18-19 c.f. Eph.6:4-8; Col.3:22-25). This respect was even to be extended to harsh masters since we will all be judged by God. The chief concern of both slaves and masters, is to find favour with God by righteous living (1 Pet.2:20).
Q.3. What example did Jesus leave us? How could Christ maintain His composure amid such injustices? What did Jesus accomplish for us on the cross? – (1 Pet.2:21-25) = The above directions to citizens and slaves can appear unreasonable, unless we recognize God’s plan for us. These verses detail the utterly unjust treatment of Jesus, His response to His unjust suffering, and how He accomplished this. Peter opened this section by reminding believers what God’s purpose is for us  – For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps (1 Pet.2:21). Jesus left us a perfect example of the Suffering Servant. God calls us to follow in His footsteps. No One had greater power at His disposal if He chose to retaliate. The solemn truth is that Jesus stayed true to His mission, and refused to threaten or retaliate, because He was more concerned about us, including the perpetrators of the most monumental injustice in history. How did He do it? He – kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously (1 Pet.2:23). He had total confidence in the sovereign power and plan of God. This is a clue to how we can endure injustices, when we cannot trust those in authority – those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (1 Pet.4:19). Jesus took it in His own body, at His expense – so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet.2:24). It is all about trusting in our Shepherd, Who is also the Guardian of our souls – For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls (1 Pet.2:25).
