Community Class BLog

Written by:  Rusty Bennett

Blog Creator: Jeff Prince

1 Peter 2:13-25 New International Version

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. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. ¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”^{[ 23} When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[b] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Living in the In-Between

How many times is Scripture used to hurt others or as a weapon to control? Perhaps we read it and are taken aback by the words, thoughts, or positions being espoused? In our discussion on 1 Peter 2, this was certainly the case. How do you claim to live and follow Christ and yet, as Peter suggests, ignore the injustices which impede the freedom found in Christ? Peter seems to suggest accept what is – mainly the political and social structures of the Roman Empire – thus enduring and endorsing the continuation of oppression. In so doing, however, know you’ve also been transformed in Christ. What?!? I wonder how it felt for these early followers to hear this? Did they feel supported, let down, uplifted, or disillusioned?

At first it may be hard to relate to the situation and conditions Peter talks about and yet I can’t help think his advice reminds us of our own situations. Living in the in-between in this world and not of this world. Living in a world where injustice and inequalities persist, yet you can find deep love and hope. How is it possible to have both? Perhaps, this is exactly Peter’s point to live with the understanding where the Cross represents holding the dualism as neither good or bad, but what is. It’s living into a relationship with God where we hold the pain of societal injustice and the joy of life. Where hope and fear co-exist, not as extremes but on a continuum of life. Through it all we begin to realize the mystery of God. God remains and is a part of it all.

I don’t believe Peter’s words were ever meant to hold people in powerless positions or to be used to justify systems of patriarchy and control, rather words to acknowledge the very existence we live. It’s a call, I believe, to stand against the injustices, yet also a call to contemplation. To seek lives defined by compassion, by cultivating spirits of forgiveness, nonviolence, nonjudgment, and mindfulness. Such was the spirit of Christ who represents the totality of what it means to be in relationship with God for in the cross we experience both life and death. Perhaps Peter’s hope, we all would embrace the freedom in knowing through it all Christ calls us beloved and walks alongside each of us and along every step of the way of each death and resurrection, thus is the cycle of our spiritual lives.