13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
REFLECTION:
Chapter at a Glance: Christians are to practice submission in the home, and in the church. If a person should suffer for doing good, he should remember Christ’s suffering which led to our salvation.
Peter reminds us that God’s eyes are on the righteous, so that in the normal course of affairs, good things do happen to good people. But there are situations when you do good, and suffer for it. When this happen to you, “you are blessed”. Peter than told us how to react in such situations. Don’t fear or be frightened; remember that Jesus is Lord and sovereign over all circumstances; be prepared to explain your hope to anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are; keep a clear conscience; remember that if God chooses to let you suffer, it’s much better to suffer for something you didn’t do than for committing some sin! (vv14-17)
Jesus Christ suffered innocently and yet all this happened according to God’s will. God wonderfully and graciously turned injustice into a means of grace and blessing for all mankind. So, when bad things happened to God’s people, we can be sure that He is personally involved and out of the evil God will bring out some very real good.
Our world is often unjust. Bring to mind some of your past or current sufferings. In the context of these sufferings, how can the suffering and consequences of Christ in this passage bring you hope? Thank God for the hope we have been given in Christ.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
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.
REFLECTION:
Chapter at a Glance: Peter encouraged believers to grow spiritually as they received the calling as God’s chosen and holy people. Believers therefore are to live holy lives and to submit to authorities and masters, even when this involves suffering as Christ suffered.
None of us likes to be unfairly treated. It is most frustrating when we can’t do anything about it. In this passage, Peter calls for submission even when we are treated unfairly. Peter went on to tell us that we should do what Jesus did when He suffered unjustly. Jesus didn’t retaliate, or hurl insults back at those who insulted Him. What Jesus did was to entrust “Himself to Him who judges justly.”
Peter did not always understand that Christ’s disciples should expect to suffer unjustly. When Jesus first announced that the Messiah must suffer and finally die unjustly in Jerusalem, Peter attempted to stop Him. (Matt 16:21-23) But now Peter understands that out of the innocent suffering of the Saviour, God worked out our salvation. The suffering of Jesus was not meaningless; it was permitted that through it good might come. Therefore Peter teaches that if we would commit ourselves into God’s hands, we can be sure that not only justice will be done for us, but also that our suffering will serve the cause of God’s grace.
Have you ever experienced unjust treatment or hardship because of following the Lord? Pray for courage to walk “in his steps” even in the face of suffering, today, this week, this month.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
The apostle Peter was one of the twelve disciples Jesus appointed and taught during his time on earth. Peter spent the final years of his life and ministry—in the early 60s AD—as a leader of the church in Rome. When he learned that churches in other Roman provinces (all located in what is now Turkey) were experiencing persecution, he wrote to urge them to remain faithful to Jesus. Peter’s letter was delivered by Silas, a man who also worked with the apostle Paul (see Acts 15:22–17:15). Peter introduces Silas and explains that he helped to compose the letter.
After the opening, the letter has three main sections:
Peter first tells his readers to be holy in all you do. As Gentiles they once lived in ignorance (they did not know the ways of God). But they are now a holy nation, part of God’s own people, and are called to a new way of life.
Peter then explains how this way of life will impress those who might accuse and persecute them without just cause.
Finally, Peter acknowledges that his readers are suffering for their faith, but he explains that this is only to be expected. The Messiah himself suffered, and believers all over the world are facing the same challenge. The followers of Jesus are waiting for the day God will visit them, and even in their suffering they can show they belong to God.
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
REFLECTION:
Chapter at a glance: After a brief greeting, Peter praised God for the salvation of those who suffered persecution. He urged them to remember the price of redemption and to live holy lives.
Peter’s call to holiness can be confusing and intimidating. We are often bombarded by the media depicting “holy” people as stiff, sexuality repressed, boring, lifeless, self-righteous, judgemental, and deeply hypocritical. Yet to be holy is to be transformed into Christ’s image. Peter talked about “be holy in all your conduct”, what does it mean practically?
Jot a quick list of all you have to do today (or tomorrow). How could you begin to tackle this list with the goal “be holy in all your conduct”?
Pray specifically from your list that you would be holy and would improve relationships with those around you.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
