In His Steps
Notes
Transcript
Submission as a Servant
Submission as a Servant
Peter began this section speaking directly to slaves of that period - those who were suffering not only under slavery, but also suffering additionally because of their testimony as Christians.
As you will remember, Peter tells them to submit - put themselves voluntarily under that authority figure - as ones who have been freed from the bondage of sin. Even though freed spiritually, they were still responsible to submit and show proper reverence toward their earthly masters - knowing that those masters would be judged directly by God Himself. So Peter instructs them to submit - not just to the easy to get along with masters, but also the difficult masters.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
And then, Peter gives a reason and a description drawn from Jesus Christ and His death that would seem somewhat out of place. He describes the submission of Christ to the unjust treatment by the Roman Soldiers, the Jewish elders, and the crowd - all of whom ultimately crucified Him - the punishment of a slave inflicted upon the master of the universe - who had voluntarily taken upon Himself the form of a slave. As Paul puts it:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Our Example - Jesus Christ
Our Example - Jesus Christ
Embedded in this call to slaves, Christ is held out here by Peter as an example to all Christians.
You will recall that Peter had called all Christians the servants of God back in verse 16 of this chapter:
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Now Peter is pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of how to react to mistreatment. Christ is our example not just in how others treated Him, in the punishments that He received, but in how He reacted to that mistreatment.
“The suffering to which slaves, and by extension all Christians, are called is not suffering caused by the human condition, such as illness, aging, and death. Nor is it suffering that is the consequences of one’s own sin and poor judgment. Peter's call is to suffer unjustly, to suffer even though one has done nothing to provoke or deserve it, simply because one is a Christian. The challenge of the call does not stop there; Peter further exhorts the Christian to keep on doing good even when unjust suffering continues to be the result.” Karen H. Jobes
The Direction of Our Example
The Direction of Our Example
Peter states that Christ is our example. The word example was a pattern of letters that children would use to learn to write. In other words, copying over the top in order to learn the proper patterns.
In the same fashion, Christ has created the pattern for us to follow.
The other metaphor Peter uses here is to to follow in His steps. And it is a common metaphor - to follow Christ as our example.
But please note that following in Christ’s steps does not necessarily mean that we strive to match his exact footprints. Growing up as a child up north, we would have heavy snow at times and I can remember as a child attempting to follow the footprints in the deep snow of an adult - you might almost make it, but then you would slip and slide and end up with snow in your boots and wet socks.
Sometimes, we think that following Christ’s footsteps is one decision that we make and then we can simply step where He has stepped. Instead, it is more like following someone in the woods - where they are creating a path for us to follow that will take us in the right direction. We may not match their footsteps exactly, but we will head in the right direction. In fact, to draw out the analogy even further, there are times that we will wander from the path and then realize we are lost - only to backtrack (repent) and get back on the right pathway headed in the right direction - we might have some bruises and scratches - but we will head in teh right direction.
So Christ has left us an example - a pattern to follow so that we can head in the right direction.
Christ still calls today for disciples to “Follow Me!” and Christ still calls believers to be willign to die - to take up their cross and follow Him.
Peter clearly reminds us that we are to follow in His steps - and those steps lead to a cross.
Peter then begins a section that quotes from Isaiah 53 and the suffering servant depicted there. It is interesting that Isaiah 53 is so closely linked to Christ’s death on the cross, yet Peter is the only NT writer that makes such a close connection between the crucifixion and the description in Isaiah.
There are six quotations - only 2 refer to Jesus. The other 4 refer to Christ’s ministry on earth prior to the crucifixion and to Paul’s ministry. The closest connection to the sufferings of Christ is the incident of the Ethiopian eunuch reading from Isaiah, but Philip does not give a detailed explanation recorded in Scripture.
Peter is the one who makes it clear that the Suffering Servant of Isaiah refers to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
And Peter does not quote Isaiah 53 in the order of Isaiah, but rather in the order of the events of the crucifixion:
Was not convicted of Sin at His trial
Speech of Mocking and reviling
Suffering without threatening
Commitment to God
The Demeanor of Our Example
The Demeanor of Our Example
Christ’s Holiness
Christ’s Holiness
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Am I striving to remove sin habits in my life?
Christ’s Reactions
Christ’s Reactions
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
How do I react when I am unjustly treated?
… when people are treated unjustly, it is most tempting to respond by stretching the truth. putting our opponents in a bad light. speaking abusively of others. or making threats. Following in Jesus footsteps through this trying situation means not responding in kind to the accusers or using deceit, slander, or threats.” Karen Jobes
Do I threaten? Do I lie? It is very easy to stretch the truth or falsely accusse someone. Yet Christ did none of those - He accepted the verbal abuse as a sacrificial lamb - to pay for my sins and yours.
Christ’s Resting (trust)
Christ’s Resting (trust)
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Sometimes, in the world, we are treated unfairly and we wonder if God will ever judge other’s wrongdoing. Christ’s example reminds us that the ultimate judge is an eternal one - not an earthly judge.
We need to rest and trust in the Almighty and Holy God - who will make all things right.
The Demonstration of Our Example
The Demonstration of Our Example
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
He Bore Our Sins
Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, And he shall divide the spoil with the strong; Because he hath poured out his soul unto death: And he was numbered with the transgressors; And he bare the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
Separated Us from Sin
Separated Us from Sin
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Healed our Wounds
Healed our Wounds
But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.
Returned Us to Our Shepherd
Returned Us to Our Shepherd
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, And carry them in his bosom, And shall gently lead those that are with young.
Let us close now with another quotation from Isaiah - Isaiah was speaking to the entire nation of Israel, but we as believers are able to take these verses and based on I Peter - we can claim them as our own for Christ has not only left us an example to follow, but He has paid the penalty for our sins by His death upon the cross:
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called thee from the chief men thereof, And said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.