A Perfect Example

1 Peter 2:21-25

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Upon reading this text, I think that there are a few questions that we need to ask ourselves.

Firstly, who am I?

What am I made of?

What kind of spirit resides in me?

Am I showing the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

Secondly, what am I following?

I would like you all to ponder on that question for a moment.

What am I following?

As we look at the world in which we live, I can’t help but think of all the different idols that people have.

While some literally have physical idols that represent a false sense of worship, the idols of others can be more subtle.

Because we as humans were designed to be worshippers, our worship, our attention, and all that we are, is going to be put into something.

However, the question that we all must ask ourselves is “what are we really serving?”

Looking specifically to the text at hand, what is our example?

What is our guide?

Then, we must compare the answer to that question with the Word of God and the command that the Bible commands us to adhere to.

To do this from the text in question, we must first understand the context.

The book of 1 Peter is written by the Apostle Peter as he writes to Christians who have been scattered.

Looking at the historical context of the day, we see much turmoil and a great sense of uncertainty.

This sense of uncertainty has led to Christians not knowing what to do.

More than that, we can assume that most of these Christians are being persecuted for their faith.

During this time in history, being a Christian was not an easy thing.

Unlike today where anybody and everybody professes to be a Christian, the Christians of this time could be put to death because of their confession that Jesus is Lord.

Because of the persecution that many Christians were being put under, we can assume from Peter’s writing, that many believers have become discouraged.

So, in order to comfort and reaffirm the church, Peter picks up the pen and begins to write to this diverse group of believers on the topic of persecution and perseverance.

In chapter 1, Peter writes of the foreknowledge of the Father, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, and the perfect obedience of the Son in the fulfillment for the payment that you and I as believers rightfully deserved.

He goes on and describes the living hope that we have as Christians.

Despite the persecution of the world and the dangers that may come to us due to the message that we have believed in, our hope is not dead.

Our hope is not dying.

Rather, Peter stands firm on the finished work of our Living Hope.

What is our Living Hope?

It is the innocent Savior that was murdered to take away our sins.

The Innocent Savior that was resurrected from the grave defeated death and hell forever.

Peter has seen firsthand the power of persecution.

In my opinion, one of the greatest portions of Scripture in the New Testament comes from Acts 5:40-42, as Peter and the other Apostles are literally beaten, bludgedoned, and embarassed, only to be kicked out of the synagogue with a command not to ever preach the Gospel of Christ ever again.

The statement that they make next is so amazing.

They look at each other, I can only imagine covered in blood, and say, that they are honored to be counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name.

How can Peter have this boldness?

How can Peter have this hope?

It’s only because he knows that his hope is not in himself or his task.

Rather, his hope is only in the Living Hope which is Jesus Christ.

We as believers must strengthen our hope in the fact that our faith is not in vain.

Our faith does not waiver or fall depending on the persecution that we may face.

Rather, our hope is secure because our hope is alive.

Thanks be to Christ, for He is our Living Hope.

In chapter 2, Peter describes us as being living stones which are a part of the family of God.

No longer do we have hearts of stone.

Rather, we (with our new heart of flesh) are being built up and strengthened together as a house is built up.

Except, the house that we are built into is there to bring glory and honor to the one who has changed our heart and made us new in Him.

Peter goes on to say that the house that we are being made into is built on a chief cornerstone that is Jesus Christ.

We are the children of God, put together into the structure which is God’s family.

Thus, as Peter describes, we must be holy as Christ is Holy.

In the middle part of chapter 2, Peter commands Christians to be subject to the authority that has been set up around us.

We are not to live in a sate of rebellion, rather we are to show a Christlike spirit of submission fulfilling the teaching of Jesus.

So that brings us to our text.

In verse 20 of 1 Peter 2, Peter asks if punishment for sin leads to endurance in the faith.

He then contrasts this question by saying that doing good or doing well leads to patience and endurance in the faith.

He then says that this sense of endurance or perseverance if you will leads to God’s acceptance and favor.

So, as we look at verse 21, we must keep in mind the thought that Peter is continuing.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

What were we called to do?

Verse 20 says that were called to be acceptable with God.

We were called to endure, persevere, keep going, in our Christian walk.

No matter the trials that these scattered Christians are facing, they are to keep going, keep believing, and keep preaching the Gospel, because we have been called for this purpose.

We’ve got a purpose.

I’ve got a purpose.

You’ve got a purpose.

What is that purpose?

The details of it really depend on the person.

We aren’t all meant to do the same things.

We aren’t all meant to have the same ministry.

Rather, we as Paul describes in Romans 12, ought to be different members in the same body.

We are different limbs of the same body.

We are each assigned a specific job for a specific reason.

We must now use our skills, talent, knowledge, and wisdom in a way that is focused on the finished work of Christ rather than the our own ambitions, thoughts, emotions, wills, or desires.

We have been bought with a price.

Thus, as we will get to in a moment, we are not our own.

Look again at verse 21.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Remember, Peter is speaking about the acceptance of God on our lives.

An acceptance that comes from living a life of perseverance.

But what does Peter say?

Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example.

An example is a guide.

Something that is to be followed after, molded into, or mimicked.

According to Peter, Christ is our example.

He is the perfect example.

An example that could not be approved on or bettered.

Christ is the perfect example that has suffered for us.

So how are we to follow this example?

Lets read on through verse 23.

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Here Peter quotes from Isaiah 53.

Arguably the most powerful Messianic prophesy in the entire Bible.

The prophecy which speaks of a Suffering Servant.

One who is lead like a lamb to the slaughter.

One who is killed on behalf of others.

A perfect lamb.

In verse 22, Peter quotes from Isaiah 53:9.

King James Version Chapter 53

9 And he made his grave with the wicked,

And with the rich in his death;

Because he had done no violence,

Neither was any deceit in his mouth.

The words guile and deceit are interchangeable here.

They mean the same thing.

As Peter quotes from this Messianic prophesy, he is meaning to convey Christ as the perfect example through the way He dealt with persecution.

Please think about that very thing.

When Peter is speaking about the perfect example that Christ is to be, you must remember who he is writing to.

He’s writing to those who are experiencing the same kind of persecution that the Apostles had experienced as well as the persecution that Jesus Himself had experienced.

In other words, Peter is saying that Christ is to be our perfect example not only in the good times, but also in the bad times.

Through thick or thin, good or bad, happy or sad, Christ is the example by which we understand, submit to, and abide by.

Specifically though, Peter writes of Christ being the perfect example in regards to persecution.

Just as Jesus was led before the people who hated Him and was eventually killed, we as Christians must have the same Christlike attitude when thinking of our opposition.

Just as Jesus did not sin, we must not sin.

No matter what the world does to you, do not cave in to the pressure to sin in return.

We are not to be a people of vengeance or revenge.

We aren’t to take matters like that into our own hands.

Rather, we are to understand that our Father in Heaven is watching over us.

Vengeance is His and His alone.

Just as Jesus did not sin before His enemies and did not say a word of deceit, we should do the same.

When thinking of sin, do we ever really ponder our words?

Do we ever think of our words as a mode by which we sin?

Too often the mouth is the thing which gets Christians in trouble.

We go into church with our happy faces on, yet as soon as we get the chance, we say terrible things to those who are in the body of Christ.

Think about this.

When we slander or belittle another believer with our hurtful words, we are doing that to the bride of Christ.

Does that put this into perspective?

If we have been saved from the penalty of our sin through the marvelous work of Jesus Christ, we have absolutely no right to say words of deceit or malice to our brothers and sisters.

Why?

It’s because we are just that.

Brothers and sisters in Christ.

We have been called out and placed in a position to where we now have the ability to do that which is right.

Because of that, we must guard our mouths.

Don’t say mean things.

Rather, speak the truth in love.

Speak in a way that is righteous.

Speak as Christ would speak.

However, remember who Jesus is in front of.

During this prophesy, He is in front of unbelievers.

Although terrible things are going to happen to Him, He withholds returning the favor.

Despite the anguish, He prevails.

What an example!

Look again at verse 23.

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

This continues the thought of Christ being the perfect example during persecution.

Despite the reviling, he did not revile.

Despite the suffering, he gave no threats.

This goes beyond the control of the mouth.

The actions of Christ here speak to volumes to the topic of self control.

When we have someone who is directly opposing us and through that opposition, is treating us wrong, we want to return the favor.

We want them to get what they deserve.

I’m afraid that too often, they get exactly what they deserve.

They get it from us.

An intense state of reflection should take place in our lives.

Are we acting the way we should?

What example are we following?

Is it Christ?

Verse 24 says,

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The more acquainted you get with the New Testament, the less unique this statement seems to be.

As you dig into the New Testament Epistles, you see this statement almost everywhere.

In Colossians 2, Paul goes dives into the statement that is made here and explains what I describe as the Paradox of Salvation.

Not only that but in Romans 6, Paul spends over half of the chapter walking through the implications of such a statement.

So, when Peter uses the statement “dead to sins, alive unto righteousness” what does he mean here?

Well, quite honestly, he means the same thing that Paul means in his Epistles.

Here we see the clear teaching of the believer’s relationship with the death and resurrection of Christ.

If we are in Christ, we have a unity with Him.

Thus, through His death, we died.

Through His resurrection, we live.

A beautiful paradox!

Seeing as how Christ is the one who has granted us life, our spiritual condition prior to our conversation has died.

We are no longer the creature that we once were.

Just as we died with Christ, we have been raised from the dead with Christ.

Again, there is a great sense of unity between us (once wretched and unworthy sinner) and our holy Savior.

Because Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we must be different.

Because we have been changed, we are to now walk in newness of life.

The old ways that we used to walk, should now become foreign.

Because we have been changed into a being that has the ability to please our Creator, we should now walk in a way that lives up to that calling.

In all, the enslaved person that once walked in our shoes is dead.

Now, due to our being made righteous through the life of our Savior, the enslaved person must stay dead.

Everyday when he or she tries to get back up from their grave, you must kill them again.

What am I saying?

I’m saying that you are no longer to live according to the old ways.

Rather, we are to live as the latter part of Romans 6 clearly points out.

We must be slaves of righteousness.

However, at the end of verse 24, we see something very interesting.

by whose stripes ye were healed.

Here Peter quotes Isaiah 53 again.

Except this time, he no longer is speaking to the example of Christ.

Rather, he is speaking of the results of Christ’s work.

Through the humiliation, pain, and eventual death of Jesus, there was purpose.

Despite all the hardship, there was a perfect purpose.

The purpose as we all know, can be seen in 1 Peter 2:24.

“By whose stripes we were healed.”

The entire point of the Incarnation of Christ was to redeem fallen mankind in such a way to where the perfect unity that Adam had with God, would be restored.

Through the payment that Christ provides, there is no divide.

No alienation.

No separation.

Rather, there is unity.

But, Peter uses Isaiah 53:5 (the text being quoted) in a unique way.

Remember, the context of this quotation is not only referring to the salvation that Christ provides.

Rather, the context is speaking to the guideline of us being dead to sin and alive to Christ.

Peter is talking about sanctification here.

The wounds of Jesus not only healed us from the penalty of our sins.

There is so much more here.

They also heal us from the power of sin.

While the guilt and the condemnation of our sin has been taken away, we still deal with the lust and power of it.

Yet, through the healing of Christ, we too can be set apart and made new.

The new creation will become more Christlike, more set apart, and more sanctified.

Finally, look to verse 25.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

What a wonderful end to this chapter.

No longer are we straying from the Lord.

No longer are we running from His power.

No longer are we hiding from His grace.

Rather, we have returned to the one who has made us new.

As I mentioned a moment ago, the divide is gone.

Unity can now be a reality.

Christ has become our Shepherd and our Bishop.

The word Bishop means an Overseer.

Thus, Christ is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

No matter what we experience in this life, we can be assured that our souls are secure.

Just as Jesus in John 6 explains, all that the Father has given Him, He will in no way cast out.

Once we are in the hand of Christ, not only is there no way out, we won’t desire a way out.

In closing, we must examine our position in this life.

Are we of Christ or are we of ourselves?

As the Jesus says, “One cannot serve two masters.”

Are we living our lives in a way that pleases the Master?

If not, we need to act.

Repent of the sin in your life and return to your Overseer.

As this text explains, Christ is our perfect example.

Despite whatever situation you may be experiencing in this life, Christ is the example.

Let Him be the guide.

Let Him be the pathway.

Let Him be the Shepherd.

Make Him Lord over all parts of your life.

Prayer