As an explanation for how slaves should respond to harsh treatment Peter then uses the example of Jesus.
This is not a call to simply put up with abuse, that is not the focus, but it is to highlight the importance of trusting God on those bad days ‘who judges justly’. It is to be like Jesus.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2 v 22-25)
We know that the Bible tells us not only does God ‘judge justly’ but that there is a day of reckoning, a vindication day, a judgment day. But what of today? What of now, this next 24 hours? How do I handle this bad day better?
Peter gives us the example of Jesus.
Here is The Message: “He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.”
He didn’t do wrong to get out of the bad situation.
He didn’t twist the truth.
He didn’t retaliate.
He didn’t threaten.
He let God sort it out. He knew He would.
But there is more. This was not just some passive example to us. Trusting his Father was far more than that. It was to produce something incredible for all of us.
Drawing from Isaiah 53 and the Suffering Servant, we are reminded of the beauty of what Jesus did for us.
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Peter is then saying look what Jesus accomplished through His suffering.
Today? Are you going through some tough stuff? How do we handle the bad days better? We look to Jesus and we try and do what He did.
- He trusted God the Father and so should we.
- His suffering accomplished the amazing work of God and so can our bad day be used of God as we handle it better.
Missions Paul 