The Example (1 Peter 2:18-25)

Introduction

Have you been mistreated?

Everyone has. People we try to help turn on us. Someone shouts something ugly at us when we did nothing. A coworker who does not work as hard or produce as much gets a promotion.

And when that happens, we cry “unfair.”

It is one of the early words every child learns. And we counsel the truth. “Life is not fair.”

While we intellectually know life is unfair, unfairness still cuts a deep gash in our hearts. Hurt flows into the cavity. Many times we respond by either withdrawing or striking back. After all, if that’s how the game is played, two can play it as well as one.

Peter’s audience will experience unfair treatment. Simply because they are Christians, they will be harassed. Some, at the lowest position in society, will be beaten by masters or sold callously. It is a treatment we cannot even imagine, but Peter tells his readers what to do when treated unfairly in this lesson.

Even though it doesn’t happen on the same scale, it is a lesson we, too, must learn.

Discussion

The Particular Case of the Slaves

Our lesson positions us in a different place with a different social structure. It is the Roman system of slavery.

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” (1 Peter 2:18, ESV)

When Americans hear the words slavery, we see when those of African descent were captured in foreign lands. Ships carried them against their will to American shores, where they were sold on a slave block. It was a dark day in our nation’s history, one that has created its own share of modern troubles.

That was racial slavery. The slavery we meet in 1 Peter is different. It is social.

A Roman might own a Roman. Some sold themselves or their children into slavery to settle debts. It was not uncommon for it to happen.

Most were captured in wars. In 2 Kings 5, we read of Naaman, the Syrian commander who wants healing from his leprosy. He has a Hebrew servant girl who tells him of a prophet who could give him cleansing. The young girl, probably not older than 12, was captured in a battle. Many slaves were nothing more than spoils of war, taken from homes they would never see.

It was not isolated but scattered through the empire. It is estimated that 40% of the population, or around 60 million slaves existed. Churches likely had members, perhaps elders, who were slaves. It would not have been unusual.

In this passage, the word means “house servant.” It might be a cook or housekeeper. The servant might serve as a maid or butler.

But don’t let the gentle term “house servant” soften the blow. If they were a slave, they lost their humanity. They became property to be sold, bought, and bartered. Masters could sell a slave’s children at will. No matter the form of slavery, it is barbaric.

How did Christianity respond to slavery?

Modern liberationists would like us to believe that Christianity freed slaves through civil unrest or rebellion. That would have brought a swift and painful end to the church in the first century.

Instead, they changed the practice from the inside. Christianity won both masters and slaves to the gospel. They changed their hearts and their relationships. As we see in Paul’s postcard to Philemon, a master and slave, even though the social roles remained the same, became brothers in Christ where there was no “bond or free.”

In a few centuries, this new relationship in Christ extinguished the practice and exposed it for what it was.

But that would be decades and centuries away. Peter had to deal with the harsh realities his Christian brethren faced daily.

How Slaves Dealt with Masters

Peter gives them clear direction on what to do in their households.

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” (1 Peter 2:18, ESV)

Submit, live under the authority of the master but do it with respect.

We met that word in verse 17 when it says, “Fear God.” They are to give their masters the same respect they give God. It is how they behave. None would see their master as God, but they should act with the same respect they give the Lord.

That includes when treated unfairly.

Some were treated well. Many were viewed as family members. They took children to school and helped them with schoolwork. Many cared for them as they aged.

However, in an institution that views a slave no different than an ox, it was not uncommon for whips and lashes to lay gouges on the backs of servants. Many times irritated masters took out the frustrations on their servants. It could be they lumped everyone in the same category, whether guilty or not.

In short, many Christian slaves were not treated “fairly.” But before we progress, we must get a handle on the word “fair.” What exactly is fair.

The best way to describe “fair” is when we are treated according to our actions. If you are employed, and you work hard, you are rewarded. But if you are a slacker or you steal from your company, you are fired or worse.

You get what you deserve.

But what happens when we don’t get what we deserve? When we do nothing wrong, and we still are on the raw end of the stick?

As a boy, I attended VBS every summer. Because we were part of a small church, my mother taught every year. That meant that in one year, my mother was my teacher.

The co-teacher was a harsh school teacher who had determined that all children needed a harsh hand.

My mother was looking for some glue, and we had some on our table, so I held it up. Her co-teacher decided to fly into me. She accused me of not listening and just ignoring instructions.

I did not deserve the verbal lashing, but I received it anyway. And it did not feel good.

Peter does not sympathize. He knows that treatment is not always fair.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:20, ESV)

He says that if you are punished for doing wrong, you deserve it. However, it is when you suffer for doing good it becomes a different category. It deserved “credit” or some form of glory.

Some Roman masters knew of their slaves’ Christian faith and intentionally made their life miserable. It was not because of tasks done or undone but only due to their faith.

That is unfair treatment.

So Peter tells them to submit even to these masters. But that seems impossible. But how can you respect someone who treats you unfairly?

The Big Principle

It pains us to make a connection to 21st century Christians. While some have tried to force this passage into the realm of modern employment practices, it falls short. We are not in involuntary servitude (although some in other parts of the world are). Instead, if we cannot live with our employer, we have the freedom to quit our job and find another one.

It just isn’t parallel. Instead, the connection must be through the “big principle” in this passage.

How do we work in difficult places? What if we are unhappy in our work but need to maintain it to support families? What then? How do we stand treatment that may be unpleasant?

Listen carefully to verses 19 and 20.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:19–20, ESV)

Two phrases are the key to the locked door of our minds.

The first is being mindful of God. He uses the word that is rendered by some as “conscience.” As Jimmy Cricket in the Disney tale of Pinocchio counseled his young charge, “let your conscience be your guide.”

We implant in our minds that God is behind all things.

This leads to the second phrase, “in the sight of God.” Peter says this constant endurance is a gracious thing that stands with God. It is pure enough to be in God’s presence.

Taken together, it gives us instruction for every difficult moment in our lives. We do not work for others or serve others. They are only minor relationships. Everything we do, we do for God and to please God. How would you respond to God if he were here in this situation? Do that.

This was the consistent teaching of the Christian preachers and apostles. Facing a world that could be brutal, they elevated the sight of their Christian brethren.


Paul says that same to slaves in the Asia Minor church of Colossae:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23–24, ESV)

No matter how man may treat you, you are actually working for God. He ultimately rewards and punishes. If you remember that you are serving. Christ, you can endure the treatment of men. The human master has no effect on your soul, only Christ.

We need to remember that each day our lives are lived out in front of the watchful eye of God. Work to please him, regardless of what your supervisor says.

That sounds good, but how do you really do that? Sometimes, teaching is correct but doesn’t translate into flesh and blood terms. Peter shows how it works by giving them the ultimate example.

The Example

No one grows up without an example. Children learn to walk by watching. They develop their parents’ vocabulary (both good and bad) by using the same words heard in the home. Many faithful to the Lord can reflect on a godly parent loading them into the car on Sunday morning to take them to church. They watched their mother and father and learned what to do.

It is true about Christianity. No one learns to live the Christian life in a classroom.

In fact, the principle of the example is potent. We learn what to do through instruction. We learn how to do it through examples.

We only translate God’s word into life by watching someone make it alive.

So Peter presents an example.

I am sure many thought, “I cannot do that. No one knows what it is like to be the servant of my master. No one can understand the treatment I receive.”

Peter dispels that myth.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)

Jesus and his suffering was an example the Christians. Peter uses a specific word to describe an example.


Literally, it means “to write above.” If you are a certain age, you understand it.

In first grade, one of the skills we learned was how to write. We had our thick pencils, too large for small hands, and Big Chief tablets. We sat at the desk, and the lesson began. The teacher pointed to a strip of paper that circled the room. On it was two horizontal lights with a dotted line transversing the gap. On it was letters, perfectly made. Each letter had a small arrow designating the direction of the stroke to be made.

She turned and said, “here is the letter A. Do you see how it is made? Do that?”

So we would put lead to tablet and followed the pattern on that sheet above our heads.

It was, as Peter would call it, our example.

When you examine how Jesus responded to the harsh and unfair treatment he received, you learn how to do it as well. And he was treated even worse because he never did anything wrong.

He did it because he left his footprints in life. When in doubt, walk the same way Jesus walked. Do what Jesus did.

So how did Jesus respond to being treated unjustly?

Peter remembers vividly the scenes preceding the crucifixion. His ears still ring with the lash laid on a bare back or the heaving of a suffocating Jesus on the cross. He knows what happened.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:22–23, ESV)

He did not lash out and curse and condemn his torturers. He did not say whatever to get off, even if he did not mean it. He did not even threaten them with heavenly retribution.

Instead, he was silent.

Herod could not get a rise out of him. Pilate demanded answers but as met only by the silence in the palace. While most blamed others or made wild speeches about rebellions taking place, Jesus stood there. He was bloody, beaten, cursed, and silent.

Why? Why didn’t he fight back? Why didn’t he proclaim his innocence? Why didn’t he call down 10,000 angels (as we sing in the song)? Why not define the faith, proclaim the message through martyrdom?

Because he was proclaiming a message through his response, as we all do.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:23, ESV)

While Judas handed him over to the Jewish leaders, Jesus handed himself over to God. While men may treat him unjustly, he continued to believe in the righteous judgment of his father. He knew that he would make it right, even when humanity was so wrong.

But Peter delivers a gut punch. He did that on behalf of those Christians suffering for their faith in Christ.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)

Without Christ doing what he did, without his death, their life would be utterly hopeless. They would have no way to endure. Their souls are healed even as their bodies are damaged. He gave us a different way to live, one worth all the punishment we bear.

Why can you not endure the unfair treatment? Christ did, and he did it for you? What are you complaining about?

Peter closes this lesson with comfort.

“For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25, ESV)

It was a familiar image. Sheep eating their way into danger would wander from the flock and easily become prey for wolves or feral cats. When a shepherd would bring back a sheep, it was because that sheep had value.

We have returned to the “Shepherd and Overseer” of our souls. It is a phrase to be taken together. A caring shepherd is always watching over the flock to protect and gather.

When tough times come in life, as they will, a caring shepherd is watching over our welfare.

No matter how badly we are treated, one cares for us who has suffered even more on our behalf to show us the way.

Conclusion

Peter was not describing the hypothetical treatment. Many of his brethren had the scars put there by harsh masters.

But no, they were suffering not for what they had done but for what they believed.

We will never fully appreciate their struggle but can fully comprehend the truth of how to respond to a world that is harsh to the faith. It comes from three key ideas.

We are not the first to deal with unfair treatment. Jesus experienced it first. He has become the trailblazer, showing us to way to live.

We are not clueless about what to do. Jesus showed us how. If you do nothing else, just do what Jesus did when treated poorly.

We are not alone. God is paying attention. Change your frame of reference. God rewards. Live with the conscious awareness that God is watching what and how we do in life and live accordingly.

During World War I, a British commander was preparing to lead his soldiers back to battle. They’d been on furlough, and it was a cold, rainy, muddy day. Their shoulders sagged because they knew what lay ahead of them: mud, blood, possible death. Nobody talked, nobody sang. It was a heavy time.

As they marched along, the commander looked into a bombed-out church. Back in the church, he saw the figure of Christ on the cross. At that moment, something happened to the commander. He remembered the One who suffered, died and rose again. There was a victory, and there was a triumph.

As the troops marched along, he shouted out, “Eyes right, march!” Every eye turned to the right, and as the soldiers marched by, they saw Christ on the cross. Something happened to that company of men. Suddenly they saw triumph after suffering, and they took courage. With shoulders straightened, they began to smile as they went.