1 Peter 2:21-25
1 Peter 2:21-25
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."
Let's start with the Greek understanding of some words that are used in this verse. When we look at the Greek and Hebrew, it brings clarification to the verse and brings a better understanding to it all.
- Deceit: á¼€πάτη (ah-PAH-tay) deceit(-ful, -fulness), deceivableness(-ving), deceitfulness, deception, deceit, deceptions.
(Another meaning for Deceit is to commit sin, to lie to achieve.)
- Reviled: λοιδορÎω (loy-dor-eh'-o) properly, to say harsh things (make verbal assaults); to revile; to spue bitter (tasteless) statements, using mean-spirited, insulting words to demoralize (humiliate).
Example One:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"
Jesus, who committed no sin and no deceit, was found. Deceit, as above, means deception and to lie. All over scripture, we see examples of the importance of being honest and how important it is to control your tongue.
Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
James 1:26 "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Q: Given the verses above, how well do you keep deceit from your mouth?
Q: What is an example of when you spoke evil of someone? (And did you ask for forgiveness?)
Example Two:
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"
We learned that reviled in Greek means to say harsh and bitter things, to make verbal assaults. When we look at the character of Christ, we know that He never repaid evil for evil or even insult for insult. What Christ did do was come back at what others have said with the Word of God. Not only that, but He also taught us how to respond when an insult is thrown at us.
Matthew 5:38-40 "38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also."
What is this verse speaking about? When we look at the full context of this passage, we know it's not about physical assault. How? When Jesus, in John 18:19-23, was struck by the officer across the face, did Jesus turn the other cheek? Did He turn to the officer and tell him to strike the other side?
John 18:19-23 "19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed, they know what I said.”
22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”
24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest."
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What did Jesus do in return to the officer who struck Him? He turned and asked, "Why do you strike Me?"
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Another chapter we can look at to show Christ coming back with scripture is Matthew 23. In this chapter, we see Jesus come to the Pharisees and call out their hypocrisy. All the things claimed in Matthew 23 can be found in Deuteronomy 33:3, Exodus 30:29, etc. Jesus is calling out the hypocrisy by comparing what they practice and what is said in the word.
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Q: When was the last time you were in a situation and responded to it, and you answered with the scripture?
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Q: How would you react if an officer of the law hit you because you were preaching the gospel?
Example Three:
Vs.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"
When I read this verse, I see that we are to be a living sacrifice, Holy and pleasing to God. For Christ was our sacrifice for us on the cross. Therefore, when we look at ourselves, how can we show ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and righteous?
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Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
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Do not conform to the world. In the Old Testament, we see the Israelites being set apart by the way they worship, what they wear, and how to speak to one another. In the same context, we are to be separate from the world. In our daily lives, as Christians, we should have a mindset that is different than the standards of the world. By our actions, the world should know that the Christ we worship is in us.
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Matthew 5:13-15 "13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.…"
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Q: How do you represent Christ in your daily life?
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Q: Was there a time when you didn't have to preach the word, and someone knew you were a follower of Christ by the actions you presented?
Conclusion:
25 "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
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We were once lost, we sought what was worldly, we had an evil tongue, spoke evil, treated others non-Christ like and did not love our neighbors. When we come to Christ, He celebrates. The angels rejoice in heaven (Luke 15:10). We were once sinners, and even though we sinned against a holy God, He is waiting.
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John 3:16 "16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
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