1 Peter 2:18-25: In His Steps

Welcome back to our study of I Peter...

Goal for tonight is to learn to follow in the steps of Jesus...

Let’s review our theme verse...Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Now we’ll turn to our text for tonight...I Peter 2.18-25...18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 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. 21 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. 22 “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 23 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. 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. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Overview

As you’ve likely noticed, this passage tonight fits in the middle of the larger context of the book...the theme of the second half of the chapter two and the beginning of chapter three is the phrase “be subject to” – Gr. ‘hypotasso’ – we’ll go into more detail on that in a moment, but first let’s do a quick overview...

The first use in 2.13 enjoins Christians to “be subject to” – NASB95 translates it as “submit to” or “be submissive to” – human institutions for the Lord’s sake...the civil authority, in the persons of the emperor and governors, are in fact created by God and Christians are to be subject to them, even honoring them…

The second use is in our text tonight, 2.18, and speaks to the attitude household servants are to have to their masters...again, they are to “be subject to” them, be “submissive” to them...

The third use, in 3.1, will be our text for next week, as Peter uses the same word, “be subject to” and applies it to the marital relationship, specifically wives to their husbands...you won’t want to miss next week!

The text for tonight, 2.18-25, breaks down into two distinct portions, as Peter teaches us the second of these three “be subject to” lessons...

As we dive into this passage tonight, remember that context...what Peter has just said, that our submission is for the Lord’s sake...listen again to I Peter 2.13-14...13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 

We are to submit to every human authority for the Lord’s sake...because our submission to human authorities in the realm of civil government displays our submission to our true God and King...the principle in view is clear: we submit because of our higher allegiance to God, for His sake, and in order to be a solid witness to our world, that “...they may see our good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mt 5.16

We see the same principle here as we look at the relationship between “servants” and “masters” – Christians are to submit because of their higher allegiance to God...let’s look again at the first portion of tonight’s text...I Peter 2.18-20...18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 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. 

A Gracious Thing                  I Peter 2.18-20

This begins what Bible students will recognize as a ‘household code’ – we find them in other NT books, too, particularly Paul’s lengthy version in Ephesians 5.21 through 6.9, which includes marriage, parenting, and workplace relationships...here, Peter begins with the workplace...and the text begins with the word “servants” – a common word in English, used 161 times in the ESV...but the Gr word Peter chooses is used only four of those 161 times...it’s the word ‘oiketes’ ... a household servant who lived in the home with the master, whose duties were probably restricted to the household...it isn’t the more common Gr word ‘doulos’ – used 94 of the 161 times – this is why the best modern analog as I see it is the employer/employee relationship, with some adjustments...but the principle in view here is applicable also to those the Scripture would call ‘doulos,’ slaves; for more on this, I recommend Paul’s letter to a slave owner, Philemon...but I would say that the relationship Peter addresses here isn’t an exact analog to the historical facts of slavery in Europe and America...these principles apply to any believer in a wide range of workplace relationships, so we can apply it in our daily lives...

Also, this is not a commentary on whether this servant/master relationship is morally right or wrong...Peter is simply speaking to Christians who were in this circumstance, which was very common in the Roman Empire of the first century...these believers needed to know how to live in this relationship...his direction probably surprised and disappointed many in the congregations of Asia Minor...

The bottom line is this: they are to submit to the master’s authority...the Gr word is ‘hypotasso’ “be subject to” which means to be or become willing to submit to the orders of another; to arrange oneself under, to subordinate oneself to another; consistently translated; the key to the meaning is that the action is taken willingly, as Peter says, “with all respect” – to all masters, not just masters who were also believers...

Peter describes two types of suffering here... the first is suffering for cause, or justly; the other is suffering without a cause, or unjustly...I made a slide for this portion of the text...some lessons to learn here...

First, the servant’s attitude and actions don’t depend on who the master is or how the master acts... 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ... for the believing servant isn’t truly serving the earthly master, he’s serving the Lord Jesus...

Second, when we take on a relationship, there will be obligations that come with it...and it honors God to diligently fulfill those obligations...and disregarding those obligations brings no credit to the gospel...

Third, is the nature of our response...it’s described in verse 19: 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 

For believers, submitting to an unjust master or employer is evidence of an attitude of patient endurance before God, and God considers patient endurance a virtue...Scripture contains several references to this type of endurance mentioned here, translated in the NASB95 as “patient endurance” – it renders ‘hypomeno’ meaning to remain behind, to stay in place, with the thought that in battle it represents standing your ground, remaining steadfast and immovable, to hold out and wait for something...Matthew 24.13 is representative, speaking of the last days...But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 

The same thought is spoken four times to the churches of Ephesus, Thyatira, and Philadelphia in Revelation 2 and 3, such as this statement of Jesus to the church in Thyatira...Revelation 2.19...“‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance,

This is a critical truth for us today, and has been for believers throughout history...listen to the author of Hebrews as he writes to the church of the first century as they had come in faith to Christ in the midst of difficult times...reading from the Phillips translation...Hebrews 10.35-38…Don’t throw away your trust now—it carries with it a rich reward in the world to come. Patient endurance is what you need if, after doing God’s will, you are to receive what he has promised. ‘For yet a little while, and he who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him’.

The Lord regards this virtuous response of patient endurance to be tremendously important, especially in times of suffering and persecution...

But here is the real thing about patient endurance...it is the acid test of a believer’s trust in the sovereignty of God...do we only believe in that truth when circumstances are in our favor? Or do we believe that God is sovereign even when we are suffering unjustly, when we are enduring pain and despair at the hands of wicked and evil people? Is He really in control when we are hurting? Do we trust Him then, or do we throw that trust away, as we are tempted to do? When we face suffering and persecution, God commands us to patiently endure it for His sake...to live graciously in that moment is such a difficult command, yet it is still His word...and we will be blessed for that obedience...

In His Steps                    I Peter 2.21-25

Now we move on to the rest of the text for tonight...I Peter 2.21-25...21 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. 22 “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 23 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. 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. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

From the suffering of some of the believers to whom he writes, Peter now turns to our ultimate example of bearing up under unjust suffering – the Lord Jesus Christ...

You’ll probably recognize verse 21...it might well be the best known verse in the book...it’s the inspiration for the novel by Charles Sheldon, “In His Steps” which in turn inspired the phrase “WWJD” or “What Would Jesus Do?” – published in 1896, “In His Steps” has sold more than 50 million copies...

Peter is clear here in English, but there’s a little more to find in Greek...in verse 21, ”to this” refers to the experience of unjust suffering that is part of being a Christian...Christ suffered for us, in our place and for our sake, and in His suffering He “left us an example” ... that short phrase uses two words that only appear here in the NT...”left” renders Gr ‘hypolimpano’ which means to leave something behind when one departs a place...”example” renders Gr ‘hypogrammos’ which means a notebook specifically made for copying letters, teaching children to write...so to completely understand this phrase, think of it this way: Jesus intentionally left behind for us a book, a pattern, filled with one long example of His life, that teaches us to imitate Him, to live as He did, to love and walk and speak and touch just as He did, to follow in His steps... 

So when we open up that pattern book, what do we find?

Peter tells us three characteristics of the example of Jesus...all drawn from Isaiah 53...

He endured in obedience...Peter says of Christ, “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” --- this is drawn from Isaiah 53.9... And they made his grave with the wicked
  and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
  and there was no deceit in his mouth. ... Jesus was and is the sinless Lamb of God, our sacrifice for sin, our Redeemer and King...but something we don’t often consider about our Lord was that in a human sense, He learned to obey His Father in much the same way we do...in His humanity, He walked before the Father as we do...Hebrews 5.8 tells us this: Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. What is the school that Jesus the Son of God and we both attend? The school of suffering...where we learn the hard lessons of obedience

He did not revile or threaten His oppressors...Peter says When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten... this is drawn from Isaiah 53.7 --- He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
  yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
  and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
  so he opened not his mouth ....one of the hardest things for people to do when they are attacked is to remain silent and not strike back, physically or verbally...yet we see exactly that in the example of Jesus, particularly during His trial and crucifixion...Jesus was oppressed and afflicted, just as believers are in many situations, certainly from unjust masters, but He didn’t strike back, and we shouldn’t, either...our fight isn’t against flesh and blood, but spirit...

He trusted His Father...Peter says, but He continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. this is drawn from Isaiah 53.10, Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand... Jesus is our Example of faith and trust in God the Father in the face of adversity and even hatred...when He was abused and falsely accused by the Jewish religious leaders, and beaten and eventually crucified by the Romans, He trusted that His Father knew what He was doing, and that all that He, Jesus, was patiently enduring had to happen to pay the price for a people...He trusted His Father because He knew that His Father was just and trustworthy, He knew that what Jesus was experiencing was part of the Father’s intent...even though He was surrounded and abused by roaring lions and a company of evildoers, as Psalm 22 says...and we must trust our Father, His Father, too, even when we are surrounded by those who seek our harm...I Peter 4.19... Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. ...Jesus did that...church, you can, too...entrust your soul to God.

We learn from verses 21-23 Who Jesus is...from verse 24 we learn what He did...Peter tells us He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree --- this truth is drawn in part from Isaiah 53.4 and 53.12... Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. --- he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

If you had to boil down the gospel, the mission of Jesus Christ in this world, to one short sentence, this would be a great candidate... He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree...He did and said so much in His earthly lifetime, that, as John says, the world couldn’t contain the books that could be written about Him...but all of it led to His sacrificial death on the cross that atoned for the sins of His people...He lived for the moment on the cross when He said, “It is finished” – His perfect blood shed, the redemption price paid...and the sacrifice accepted by the Father as His only begotten and beloved Son rose from the grave, alive forevermore...there was no other way, else God Himself would have found it...the miracle is that God found us worthy of His saving love, even at the price of the death of His Son...

John Owen, the well-known puritan preacher, said it well: The purpose of our holy and righteous God was to save His church, but their sin could not go unpunished. It was, therefore, necessary that the punishment for that sin be transferred from those who deserved it but could not bear it, to one who did not deserve it but was able to bear it. 

We could not bear the punishment for our own sin...even our own death could not atone for our sin before a thrice-holy God...He must save, or we are lost...Thomas Brooks, another English divine, as the puritans were sometimes known, said this: Our sins are debts that none can pay but Christ. It is not our tears, but His blood; it is not our sighs, but His sufferings, that can testify for our sins. Christ must pay all, or we are prisoners forever. 

We must say it again: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, ...bless the Lord, O my soul!

In verses 21-23 we see Who Christ is, in verse 24a we see what Christ did in His death on the cross, now in verses 24b-25 we see what Christ accomplished in His sacrifice; Peter says that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. --- These truths again are drawn from Isaiah 53.5-6... But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

What do we learn from this passage?

We are saved from our sin and to life eternal...in His atoning death, Jesus did both these marvelous works...He saved us from the power of sin in this life, and also from the presence and penalty of sin in the life to come...and He became the propitiation for our sin, for by His shed blood Jesus paid the ransom-price, appeasing the righteous and just wrath of God against our sin, opening the way for the sinner to be forgiven...

We are healed...in part in this life, we are healed through the goodness and mercy of our Lord, but our ultimate healing awaits our redemption and the resurrection bodies we will receive in time...and it was by His wounds that we find healing...were it not for Him, we would be lost...

And finally, we are welcomed home...we were indeed straying as sheep without a shepherd...and I love the difference between Isaiah and Peter at this point...Isaiah says we all have gone astray in pursuit of our own way, and that the Lord took our iniquity on Himself, but Peter also tells us that now in Christ, we have returned to our Shepherd...and it’s not that we found our own way home...it’s that our Great Shepherd came to find those who could never have deserved His mercy and His grace and He has brought us home again, not as a slave or a servant, but as the chosen and precious bride of the Son, who says to us, 
“Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, and someday, perhaps soon, we will arise and flee away, to return to Jesus, the Lover of our souls...come quickly, Lord Jesus!

So how can we put this truth into action?

Be gracious in suffering! How can we do that?

When others seek to punish you for doing good, endure it graciously, as Jesus did

Focus on learning patient endurance...we all need it

Be sure to diligently look in the Scriptures for the patterns Jesus left behind for us to imitate...and then walk as He walked

Follow in His steps! How can we do that?

We can seek in all ways to live a holy life before the Lord, enabled by the Holy Spirit, not in the flesh

We can refuse to strike out at others who harm or slander us

We can actively, in strong faith, entrust ourselves to God – He is faithful

We can learn to rest in Him, abiding in Him, recalling His love for us

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