June 20. I Peter 2:13-25
GRACE LESSONS: In verses 22-25, Peter recounts the ultimate example of grace given. Jesus never sinned and yet “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.” (vs 24) Peter has been telling this story now for decades. He’s still obviously amazed by God’s grace shown through Jesus’ sacrifice. May we never ever tire of hearing of it and sharing it with others either.
OUR PASSAGE: Peter is very clear in this passage about Christian behavior in a time of turmoil and sometimes unfair leadership authorities. Our focus should always be the sharing of the gospel. We are to live in such a kind, unusual way, showing love (as Christ did) even when treated unjustly, that people can’t help but see the confident peace we have in serving a higher and perfect Authority who will ultimately make all things right. This goes for all believers at all time. Slaves and free men and women. The fact that Peter addresses slaves is so significant. They might have no standing in society, but they had FULL standing as Christians in the newly formed church. I think that many slaves must have come to Christ based on what Peter wrote here. I love that from the earliest days of Christianity, all people from all walks of life were welcomed to the faith. As Paul put it in Galatians 3:28, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
My verse: I Peter 2:25 “Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”
My response: You, Lord, are my Shepherd and the Guardian of my soul. I can rest knowing You guard me like that. No one can snatch me out of Your big hands! How I praise You, great Shepherd! ( … and how I thank You for Peter, an under-shepherd, who always pointed to You.)
