Live for Righteousness

1 Peter 2:22-25 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.  
 
PETER is teaching Christians who are slaves to live into Jesus’ example as a suffering Savior. He describes Jesus’ redemptive suffering with words from Isaiah 53.
   Jesus suffered even though he is holy. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. Peter had watched Jesus for three years as people adored him and hated him. He knew of Jesus’ temptations and heard people encourage Jesus to be Israel’s king. Jesus remained perfect to the Father’s will unto the cross, through the resurrection and to the ascension.
   Even though Jesus suffered, he made no threats, and he did not retaliate. Peter watched Jesus stand before the arresting guards in Gethsemane without protest. Peter heard the accusations in the high priest’s courtyard. Jesus stood silent against Herod’s mockery. Jesus remained silent as the crowd called, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22)
   As Jesus suffered, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. Jesus often declared he ministered in the Father’s will. John 14:10 “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” Our Lord prayed in Gethsemane: Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Jesus submitted his spirit to the Father on the cross. Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” The Son submitted in agony, so his glory would one day be revealed to all the earth.
   Jesus suffered to bear our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. Peter personally knew the power of the cross when Jesus forgave his sins. In Christ’s forgiveness and authority, Peter became a new person. The apostle wants all to know Jesus’ power to redeem sins, so we are made new through his suffering.
   Jesus suffered because he is the Good Shepherd. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. Have you confessed Christ? Thank God you are no longer a wandering sheep at the mercy of Satan’s destruction.
   Too often sin is minimized, so we don’t offend someone. We don’t want to scare people away from Jesus with “sin talk”. But to make sin small is to make Jesus’ love and suffering sacrifice small. The Lord has suffered and died, so mankind will have the way out of sin and into Jesus’ righteousness. Live into that right way with Jesus. Help others to know how much he has suffered, so they  can know him as “Lord and Savior”.