1 Peter 2:18-25

1 Peter 2:18-25 … Peter has been talking about Christian character traits that should be visibly present in believers; not just in church, but out in the community, at work and in secular settings. Christians ought to be distinctive and not blend in with the crowd. 1 Peter 2:18 continues that instruction. Today, we bristle at the first century economic structure of servants and masters, but that’s essentially what we have today despite the quest for an entitled society. We work for others, accomplish what they need to have done, and are paid for our work: that’s fundamentally a servant and master relationship, even though it might be collegial. The instruction is to bring obedience and respect into the working relationship, no matter how unreasonable the employer, because to do so is a great witness and example (v.20-21). As Christ followers, our desire ought to be like Jesus and the text here in 1 Peter reminds us of His example (v.22-23).

The Gospel message is summarized in verses 24- 25, reminding us that Jesus, in obedience to God the Father, took our burden of sins upon Himself, and bore the penalty of those sins, satisfying the just demands of a holy and righteous God, who cannot ignore the awfulness of sin. Based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us, we are healed and cleansed from sin through our acceptance, in faith, of what He has done. The words of 1 Peter 2:25 remind us of Isaiah’s great prophecy of Christ in Isaiah 53:6 – “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Perhaps the greatest revelation here for those who have placed their faith in Christ and desire to know Him fully is that He is the Shepherd and Guardian (or Overseer) of our eternal destiny. We are secure in Him and you cannot be more secure than that!