Fourth Sunday of Easter: Epistle, 1 Peter 2:19-25                   

1 Peter 2:19-25 

Many people misread the New Testament. Here’s how. They read the life of Jesus, not as the life of God, the rescuer, but as God the moral example. While we should follow the footsteps of Jesus in our behavior, that is not the gospel. The gospel declares the not-so-beautiful truth that we don’t have the ability to follow His example in ourselves. So “example” does have a place, but not as the primary piece and certainly never as the means to our salvation. The Lord is my salvation. Quite literally.

But there is a place to read and follow the example of Jesus. Peter, one who objectively failed to follow the example of His Master on more than one occasion, writes to us of a way in which we can triumphantly follow the example of Jesus. Suffering. Yes, you read that correctly. Suffering.

Our reading takes into the very heart of suffering, the sin-bearing work of our Savior. While you and I cannot bear our own sin alone in the presence of a Holy God, we can and must expect the fruit of what that work declares. Remember that the pronouncement of the Good News must be fully received to bear fruit and that reception requires us first to admit to bad news about ourselves. When we stand, like Peter, with the only One who can rescue us from our plight and then declare it to others, there is a price to pay. And in one way or another, it usually involves that “s” word. But don’t miss the closing truth of our passage today. We are safe. Always safe in all the suffering that may come our way. Why? Because our Rescuer has saved us from all sin and failure. Read the inspired apostle:

“For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”