Tag: 1st Peter 2:18-24
Radical love in action!
Scripture reading for October 13th: Jeremiah 38, 39, 52, 1st Peter 2
1st Peter 2: 18-23 “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; When He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him Who judges justly.”
Peter encouraged submission to all authorities, even those who were abusive or unjust. Suffering is part of following Jesus Christ. Our Lord set the example for us in His trial, death and resurrection. God looks upon His people suffering unjustly as an act of grace towards those mistreating them. God’s goodness leads people to repentance. Jesus Christ suffered unjustly for our sins and prayed for forgiveness for those so mistreating Him. Because of this, He ransomed all who will in faith look to Him. Peter wanted believers to follow in that example to see God’s enemies saved if possible. This is radical love in action.
1st Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”
Prayer: Father God, I struggle to fully submit to unrighteous authority. Forgive me of my sin of pride and teach me the way of the cross and Jesus Christ My Lord. Help me to learn from those in Scripture who also suffered unjustly under rebellious authority yet remained true to God and His Word. Use me to show Your amazing grace to those needing redemption and Your healing for their souls.
Jeremiah 38:6 “So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.” (Response of king Zedekiah to Jeremiah’s Word from the Lord.)