WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
EPISTLE OF 1 PETER • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 views"WHAT WOULD JESUS DO" IS REALLY ASKING, "WHAT IS THE GOSPEL RESPONSE TO INJUSTICE?
Notes
Transcript
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 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. 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. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 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. 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. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
ILLUSTRATION: THE WWJD MOVEMENT
The passages before us have been challenging and there are some specific points that Peter has been bringing out to us under inspiration:
Suffering is a reality
Suffering is temporary
Our earthly journey is temporary
While we are here on earth, we must submit
To Government—just or unjust
To Masters—just or unjust
Finally, we must follow the example of Christ (our focus today)
PROPOSITION: We must learn how to handle injustice shown to us as believers by studying and following the example of how Christ handled the injustice that was shown to Him.
Notice Peter’s Christology here.
{Christology is the doctrine of Christ that examines everything about Him. It is a real study and an important study}
Peter gives us FIVE pictures of Christ (v. 21-25) that are meant to encourage and help us as we face persecution and injustice. Each of these help in motivating us to live and respond in a Christ-like manner.
1. THE MODEL CHRIST (21)
1. THE MODEL CHRIST (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.
A. God calls believers to suffer (For this you have been called…)
A. God calls believers to suffer (For this you have been called…)
B. We are to follow Christ’s example in suffering (…leaving you an example…)
B. We are to follow Christ’s example in suffering (…leaving you an example…)
2. THE INNOCENT CHRIST (22)
2. THE INNOCENT CHRIST (22)
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.
3.
3.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
A. This crucial verse underscores the sinlessness of Christ (committed no sin) and his substitutionary death for sinners.
A. This crucial verse underscores the sinlessness of Christ (committed no sin) and his substitutionary death for sinners.
This crucial verse underscores the sinlessness of Christ (committed no sin) and his substitutionary death for sinners (cf. 3:18). Jesus’ freedom from deceit alludes to . especially emphasizes that the servant of the Lord died as a substitute to remove the sins of his people.
B. Jesus’ freedom from deceit alludes to Isaiah:
B. Jesus’ freedom from deceit alludes to Isaiah:
And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
. especially emphasizes that the servant of the Lord died as a substitute to remove the sins of his people.
C. especially emphasizes that the servant of the Lord died as a substitute to remove the sins of his people.
C. especially emphasizes that the servant of the Lord died as a substitute to remove the sins of his people.
3. THE TRUSTING CHRIST (23)
3. THE TRUSTING CHRIST (23)
3. THE TRUSTING CHRIST (23)
3. THE TRUSTING CHRIST (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.
A. It is common to long for retaliation in the face of unjust criticism or suffering, but Jesus behaved like the meek lamb
A. It is common to long for retaliation in the face of unjust criticism or suffering, but Jesus behaved like the meek lamb
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
It is common to long for retaliation in the face of unjust criticism or suffering, but Jesus behaved like the meek lamb of . He could do so because he continued entrusting both himself and those who mistreated him entirely to God, knowing that God is just and will make all things right in the end. Likewise believers, knowing that God judges justly, are able to forgive others and to entrust all judgment and vengeance to God (cf. ). Every wrong deed in the universe will be either covered by the blood of Christ or repaid justly by God at the final judgment
. He could do so because he continued entrusting both himself and those who mistreated him entirely to God, knowing that God is just and will make all things right in the end. Likewise believers, knowing that God judges justly, are able to forgive others and to entrust all judgment and vengeance to God (cf. ). Every wrong deed in the universe will be either covered by the blood of Christ or repaid justly by God at the final judgment
B. He could do so because he continued entrusting both himself and those who mistreated him entirely to God, knowing that God is just and will make all things right in the end.
B. He could do so because he continued entrusting both himself and those who mistreated him entirely to God, knowing that God is just and will make all things right in the end.
C. Believers, knowing that God judges justly, are able to forgive others and to entrust all judgment and vengeance to God
C. Believers, knowing that God judges justly, are able to forgive others and to entrust all judgment and vengeance to God
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
D. Every wrong deed in the universe will be either covered by the blood of Christ or repaid justly by God at the final judgment
D. Every wrong deed in the universe will be either covered by the blood of Christ or repaid justly by God at the final judgment
4. THE SUFFERING CHRIST (24)
4. THE SUFFERING CHRIST (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.
A. Tree was often used as a synonym for “cross” in first-century Judaism, possibly due to association with OT Texts:
“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.
(cf. ; also ; ; ; and see note on crucifixion at ). The unique, substitutionary, sin-bearing death of Jesus is described here, with allusions to , , . healed. The healing in the atonement does not refer to physical healing in this context (though cf. ) but to the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ death should lead to a profound change in the lives of believers, so that they now sever all ties with evil (die to sin) and devote themselves to living in a holy manner (live to righteousness).
Tree was often used as a synonym for “cross” in first-century Judaism, possibly due to association with (cf. ; also ; ; ; and see note on crucifixion at ). The unique, substitutionary, sin-bearing death of Jesus is described here, with allusions to , , . healed. The healing in the atonement does not refer to physical healing in this context (though cf. ) but to the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ death should lead to a profound change in the lives of believers, so that they now sever all ties with evil (die to sin) and devote themselves to living in a holy manner (live to righteousness).
B. It is used in this way throughout the NT: (; ; ; ).
C. The unique, substitutionary, sin-bearing death of Jesus is described here, contains allusions to Isaiah once again:
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
5, 11.
, .
D. The healing in the atonement does not refer to physical healing in this context (though cf. ) but to the forgiveness of sins.
E. Jesus’ death should lead to a profound change in the lives of believers
F. We now sever all ties with evil (die to sin) and devote ourselves to living in a holy manner (live to righteousness).
Spurgeon wrote the following about this verse:
There was a substitution for our sins, and by that substitution believers are saved. The Lord Jesus Christ bore the punishment that was due to us. The offended God stooped from his glory so that he might save those who dared to rebel against his glory. The infinitely glorious Son of God became a sin-bearer. He had pity on us, became one of us, and bore our sins. The priest of old brought a lamb as a substitute, but our Lord Jesus Christ had no substitute for himself. Let us remember that everything he did for us, he did himself. The heart that was broken for our sins was his heart, and the life given up was his life.
5. THE SHEPHERDING CHRIST (25)
5. THE SHEPHERDING CHRIST (25)
For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
A. Peter here cites Isaiah yet again
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
B.
B. Peter writes, “But now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” First, he compares the readers with sheep who have wandered from the flock and the shepherd, that is, from the church and Christ.
Peter writes, “But now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” First, he compares the readers with sheep who have wandered from the flock and the shepherd, that is, from the church and Christ. Next, he speaks figuratively of the conversion experience the readers have had when they returned to the Shepherd. Does Peter indicate that the readers turned to Christ on their own power? Hardly. In an earlier context he writes that God had chosen them and had called them out of the darkness of sin into his marvelous light (2:9–10). When we turn to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, Christ already has found us.
C. Next, he speaks figuratively of the conversion experience the readers have had when they returned to the Shepherd.
D. Does Peter indicate that the readers turned to Christ on their own power? Hardly. In an earlier context he writes that God had chosen them and had called them out of the darkness of sin into his marvelous light (2:9–10). When we turn to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, Christ already has found us.
D. Peter calls Jesus the Shepherd and Overseer of souls; in the fifth chapter of this epistle he characterizes Jesus as the Chief Shepherd (5:4). He obviously thinks of the words of Jesus, who in the Gospel refers to himself as “the good shepherd” (, ).
E. Peter implicitly applies the concepts shepherd and sheep to the community of believers, that is, the church.
F. Christ Jesus is the Overseer of the church. As the shepherd watches over every sheep in the flock, so Jesus watches over every member of the church. Jesus is the example to his spiritual followers: he suffered and died for his people; and he keeps a close watch over his church.
John Newton wrote the following hymn verse that summarizes this so well:
Jesus, My Shepherd, Guardian, Friend!
My Prophet, Priest, and King!
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End!
Accept the praise I bring.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
Here are some final thoughts as we finish this chapter:
Of all the religions in the world only Christianity teaches freedom from sin and guilt.
The gospel of Christ offers relief to everyone shackled by sin but ready to listen and respond in faith. The gospel proclaims the joyful message: “Christ sets us free from all our sins.” Christ breaks the bonds of sin that fetter the sexual offender, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the gambler, the murderer, the robber, and the perjurer. Christ releases the sinner from the bondage of sin.
Before his conversion, Paul tried to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. He persecuted Christians, brought them to trial, and consented to their deaths. Afterward, when Paul as an apostle of Christ reflected on his former life, he openly declared:
Before his conversion, Paul tried to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. He persecuted Christians, brought them to trial, and consented to their deaths. Afterward, when Paul as an apostle of Christ reflected on his former life, he openly declared:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. []
The apostle Paul summarizes it best:
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
[]
]
Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude, vol. 16, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 113–114.
Based on these pictures of Christ given to us in this passage, I think that it is very easy for us to answer the question, “What would Jesus Do” when faced with suffering and injustice. May the Lord help each of us to do as He did and to do it for His glory!