Unfading Truth: 1 Peter 2:21-25 - The 'So-That' Savior

 By Rev. Chad Werkhoven - Posted at Unfading Truth:

Jesus suffered so that you would be healed and follow in His steps.

Summary

You were called to follow Jesus because He first suffered for you. Peter quotes the famous Messianic passage Isaiah 53 to once again reiterate that Jesus committed no sin nor spoke deceitfully.

So often, our interpersonal relationships are based on the principle of lex talionis, that famous doctrine which we summarize by saying 'an eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth.' We treat people according to the way they've treated us. But Jesus was so different. There was no retaliation to the insults hurled at Him, no threats in response to the suffering inflicted on Him. Imagine how different our daily lives, political discourse and international diplomacy would be if we all acted like Jesus!

But the external insults, threats and physical suffering Jesus endured was nothing compared to agony He endured bearing our sins. If it's true He didn't deserve the insults hurled at Him, the flogging He endured, or the nails driven into His hands and feet, how much more did He who "committed no sin" not deserve to have every single one of our sins cast upon Him!

Peter quotes Isaiah one more time in declaring the purpose for Jesus bearing your sin: "By His wounds you have been healed." In other words, Peter writes, because Christ paid for your sins, you've been returned to the Shepherd who left the flock to come looking for you.

Learn more here: 1 Peter 2:21-25 - The 'So-That' Savior (unfadingtruth.com)

Source: Daily Bible Reading | Unfading Truth