Follow the Shepherd-Leader

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25

Peter says, “If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20). This calls to mind the teachings of Jesus regarding “turning the other cheek” and “returning good for evil,” as well as the Old Testament command, ‘ “Vengeance is mine,’ says the Lord.” It is not an accident that Christians will experience undeserved suffering. “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). From the text, Peter sets forth the Lord Jesus Christ as the example of one who suffered unjustly as a servant and thus accomplished a greater good. Instead of retaliating, He trusted himself to the Father, who will judge “justly.” When He suffered for the wrongdoing of others, sinners like us; all this was done for the greater good, providing forgiveness for the lost world. Peter alluded to the fact that it is beneficial when Christians learn to submit to Christ while undergoing persecutions instead of reviling their persecutors. The rationale is that when we are honest and respectful, those over us might become supportive of Christianity and might even be drawn to Christ themselves. Peter further pointed out that Christians might not have a sense of security when facing persecutions but they did have security in their relationship with their Heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus Christ, the suffering servant, suffered for our sins, so we can “live for what is right” (1 Peter 2:24). You used to wander not knowing where you are headed, “But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). As Christians, we have returned to Christ, the “Shepherd” who leads and loves. He is the “Guardian” who protects our souls. Even throughout the pain and wandering away from the Lord, God remains our Leader and Shepherd.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com