December 9th, 2024
by Dr. Josh Franklin
by Dr. Josh Franklin
1 Peter 2:21-25 immediately follows what Peter has already been writing about. He’s discussing how to respond when facing a government opposed to Christian convictions, as long as it does not require disobedience to God. Peter says, “Respect them, obey them, and honor the king.” This was written when Nero, one of the most godless men in history, was Caesar, or king. Yet, Peter still says, “honor the king.”
How are Christians supposed to do that? How are they supposed to honor a godless government? Surrounding this passage is understanding submission with difficult bosses and submission in the home. In all these contexts, Peter points to Jesus as the ultimate example of submission.
You think submission is a difficult concept? Jesus submitted in the most challenging situations. Much like Paul in Philippians 2:1–8, Peter highlights Jesus' selflessness, encouraging us to imitate Christ. Paul says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:5) Who humbled Himself, not thinking of His own needs but ours. Similarly, Peter writes that Jesus is our example of submission, even in suffering.
1 Peter 2:21–25 (NKJV)
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Even though Jesus Christ is our example, we cannot put that in the wrong order. The proper order is this: you and I must experience the new birth and only then can we follow His example. Peter mentions this in verse 24, where he says Jesus bore our sins on the cross. Jesus is not just an example of how to live; He is our substitution. He died in our place. 1 John 2:2 says, “Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Without first experiencing the new birth, we cannot live the Christian life that Jesus exemplifies.
Let me be clear: this passage is not saying that following the teachings and morals of Jesus will get you to heaven. It’s saying that Jesus died for your sins, and through faith in Him, you are empowered to follow His example. You won’t get to heaven based on what you do for God; you’ll get to heaven based on your trust in what Jesus did for you on the cross. Then, as a child of God, Jesus becomes your example.
Notice 1 Peter 2:24: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” Peter emphasizes that the righteous life comes only after a heart transformed by grace. John Piper puts it this way: “This passage is not a rule to follow but a miracle to experience and a grace to receive.”[1] First, you must receive what Jesus did on the cross, and then you can live the life He modeled.
Jesus told His disciples to “Follow me.” Mark 3:14 says, “He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” Before sending them out, He wanted them to simply be with Him—to observe how He lived, spoke, and interacted. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” Sometimes we hesitate to be examples for younger believers, but Paul never did. He encouraged others by saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ, just as I follow the example of Jesus.”
Peter is saying the same thing: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” The word “example” here conveys the idea of tracing.
We probably first learned about tracing in grade school. How did you learn to write your ABCs? Some teachers might have simply instructed, “Write an A, write a B, write a C,” leaving you confused, wondering, “What does that even mean? I don't understand what you're asking.” However, as a young child, you likely had a sheet of paper with dotted outlines forming the letter A. Your teacher would tell you, “Trace this letter so many times,” and eventually you'd think, “I got it. That's an A. I know how to form a B. I know how to form a C.” Then later, when you were learning cursive, you practiced the strokes by tracing the pen movements for each letter on another sheet of paper.
This idea relates to the concept of tracing the footsteps of Jesus. You might wonder, “How do I submit? How do I do so gracefully and with endurance? How do I honor the king? How do I submit in my home?” The answer is, “Trace His steps; follow the example of Jesus.”
When I was in third grade, I began to discover I was pretty good at drawing. I wasn't exceptional, but in my eyes, I thought I was talented. I created little characters with my best friend. We’d draw our own comic book characters and staple them together—this was my copy, and that was your copy. We had so much fun creating these characters; it was fantastic. I still have a few of those comic books, though I wouldn’t dare show them to anyone today!
Around that same time, I met another great friend. In third or fourth grade, during art class, he showed me one of his creations. At that moment, my world opened up. I grabbed some tracing paper, laid it on top of his drawing, and started tracing his lines. When I pulled the paper away, I thought, “Wow, that looks pretty close to what he did!”
I did this over and over again. I just couldn’t draw like him from scratch, and I still can’t. My friend, who is a professional artist today, would skillfully create some of the most incredible drawings and share them with friends anytime he wanted to.
For me, I needed to trace his work, over and over again, until I could master some of the strokes and come close to capturing his style on my own. This experience came to mind as I read this passage that states Jesus Christ is our example and model. You might ask, “How am I supposed to live like Jesus?” Here’s the principle: Let Him be your example. It's inspiring that He didn't simply shout from Heaven, “Live this way!” Instead, He showed us how to do it.
Jesus told His disciples, “You’re going to be with Me. You’re going to walk with Me.” He didn’t just come to this earth, die on the cross for our sins, and then return to heaven. No, He ministered and gave us an example of what it looks like to live the life He desires for us. He saved us eternally. We have a home destined for us in heaven—praise the Lord! But what are we supposed to do while we live in this world? How are we supposed to exemplify Jesus?
We’re called Christians. We are the only Bible some people will ever read. The way we interact with others when they find out we are Christians is a testimony to who Jesus is. This is the point Peter emphasizes in this passage: Jesus is our example for how to live in the midst of a world hostile to the Christian life.
“Lord, help me to trace Jesus' footsteps in my daily life. Give me the wisdom to study His life and the courage to apply His teachings. May my actions reflect Your love and draw others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
[1] As quoted by Ray Pritchard, “In His Steps,” https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/in-his-steps/
How are Christians supposed to do that? How are they supposed to honor a godless government? Surrounding this passage is understanding submission with difficult bosses and submission in the home. In all these contexts, Peter points to Jesus as the ultimate example of submission.
You think submission is a difficult concept? Jesus submitted in the most challenging situations. Much like Paul in Philippians 2:1–8, Peter highlights Jesus' selflessness, encouraging us to imitate Christ. Paul says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:5) Who humbled Himself, not thinking of His own needs but ours. Similarly, Peter writes that Jesus is our example of submission, even in suffering.
1 Peter 2:21–25 (NKJV)
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Even though Jesus Christ is our example, we cannot put that in the wrong order. The proper order is this: you and I must experience the new birth and only then can we follow His example. Peter mentions this in verse 24, where he says Jesus bore our sins on the cross. Jesus is not just an example of how to live; He is our substitution. He died in our place. 1 John 2:2 says, “Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Without first experiencing the new birth, we cannot live the Christian life that Jesus exemplifies.
Let me be clear: this passage is not saying that following the teachings and morals of Jesus will get you to heaven. It’s saying that Jesus died for your sins, and through faith in Him, you are empowered to follow His example. You won’t get to heaven based on what you do for God; you’ll get to heaven based on your trust in what Jesus did for you on the cross. Then, as a child of God, Jesus becomes your example.
Notice 1 Peter 2:24: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” Peter emphasizes that the righteous life comes only after a heart transformed by grace. John Piper puts it this way: “This passage is not a rule to follow but a miracle to experience and a grace to receive.”[1] First, you must receive what Jesus did on the cross, and then you can live the life He modeled.
Jesus told His disciples to “Follow me.” Mark 3:14 says, “He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” Before sending them out, He wanted them to simply be with Him—to observe how He lived, spoke, and interacted. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” Sometimes we hesitate to be examples for younger believers, but Paul never did. He encouraged others by saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ, just as I follow the example of Jesus.”
Peter is saying the same thing: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” The word “example” here conveys the idea of tracing.
We probably first learned about tracing in grade school. How did you learn to write your ABCs? Some teachers might have simply instructed, “Write an A, write a B, write a C,” leaving you confused, wondering, “What does that even mean? I don't understand what you're asking.” However, as a young child, you likely had a sheet of paper with dotted outlines forming the letter A. Your teacher would tell you, “Trace this letter so many times,” and eventually you'd think, “I got it. That's an A. I know how to form a B. I know how to form a C.” Then later, when you were learning cursive, you practiced the strokes by tracing the pen movements for each letter on another sheet of paper.
This idea relates to the concept of tracing the footsteps of Jesus. You might wonder, “How do I submit? How do I do so gracefully and with endurance? How do I honor the king? How do I submit in my home?” The answer is, “Trace His steps; follow the example of Jesus.”
When I was in third grade, I began to discover I was pretty good at drawing. I wasn't exceptional, but in my eyes, I thought I was talented. I created little characters with my best friend. We’d draw our own comic book characters and staple them together—this was my copy, and that was your copy. We had so much fun creating these characters; it was fantastic. I still have a few of those comic books, though I wouldn’t dare show them to anyone today!
Around that same time, I met another great friend. In third or fourth grade, during art class, he showed me one of his creations. At that moment, my world opened up. I grabbed some tracing paper, laid it on top of his drawing, and started tracing his lines. When I pulled the paper away, I thought, “Wow, that looks pretty close to what he did!”
I did this over and over again. I just couldn’t draw like him from scratch, and I still can’t. My friend, who is a professional artist today, would skillfully create some of the most incredible drawings and share them with friends anytime he wanted to.
For me, I needed to trace his work, over and over again, until I could master some of the strokes and come close to capturing his style on my own. This experience came to mind as I read this passage that states Jesus Christ is our example and model. You might ask, “How am I supposed to live like Jesus?” Here’s the principle: Let Him be your example. It's inspiring that He didn't simply shout from Heaven, “Live this way!” Instead, He showed us how to do it.
Jesus told His disciples, “You’re going to be with Me. You’re going to walk with Me.” He didn’t just come to this earth, die on the cross for our sins, and then return to heaven. No, He ministered and gave us an example of what it looks like to live the life He desires for us. He saved us eternally. We have a home destined for us in heaven—praise the Lord! But what are we supposed to do while we live in this world? How are we supposed to exemplify Jesus?
We’re called Christians. We are the only Bible some people will ever read. The way we interact with others when they find out we are Christians is a testimony to who Jesus is. This is the point Peter emphasizes in this passage: Jesus is our example for how to live in the midst of a world hostile to the Christian life.
“Lord, help me to trace Jesus' footsteps in my daily life. Give me the wisdom to study His life and the courage to apply His teachings. May my actions reflect Your love and draw others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
[1] As quoted by Ray Pritchard, “In His Steps,” https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/in-his-steps/
Posted in First Peter
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