13 I Peter 2:21-25 - This Is A Grace To You - Part 2

January 25, 2022

Christopher C. Freeman

Title: This Is A Grace To You – Part 2 Text: I Peter 2:21-25 FCF: We often struggle suffering for unjust reasons Prop: Because Christ is our example of suffering, we must follow Christ. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to I Peter chapter 2. It has been a challenging last couple sermons hasn’t it? Our American mindset says “don’t tread on me!” You don’t have any authority to tell me what to do! We the people… has really clashed with what God is teaching us from I Peter. It certainly adds a little bit of second guessing and a little bit of pause to our normal attitudes toward our governing officials. Last week Peter explained that we ought to submit, even to evil masters. Because even if we suffer for doing no wrong, and even if we suffer for doing good, suffering is exactly what we’ve been called by God to do. And so, if we are to suffer, we must make sure that we suffer for doing no wrong and/or to suffer for doing good. Sometimes that means suffering for disobeying a human authority when they tell us to disobey God. Sometimes that means suffering with unjust rulers who impose unkind or unfair laws. So, if we are to suffer no matter what – we should suffer blamelessly. And as Peter told us last week, to do such a thing is beyond our normal human capacity. We can’t do this. But God can. God’s grace can enable us to do this. Indeed, Peter calls our endurance through such suffering – a grace. Today, Peter will continue that thought, expressing the source and example of that grace to us. I am in I Peter chapter 2. I’ll read again starting from verse 18 and read through verse 25. I am reading from the NET which you can follow in the pew bible on page 1365 or whatever version you prefer. Transition: Well, we have lots to cover today. Last week you had a nice short TV show sermon. This will be a little more of a challenge for you. But stick with me – so many cool things here! I.) Christ is our example of suffering unjustly, so we must follow Christ. (21-22) a. [Slide 2] 21 – For to this you were called, i. Looking back to the statement we ended on last week, it is imperative that we remember the context. ii. The context flows from the basic command to submit to all human authority. To honor all people, love God’s people. Fear God and honor the King. iii. But this point goes back further. That God’s people as those who are foreigners and exiles here on earth, must abstain from bodily lusts and maintain good deeds so that non-Christians will glorify God because of our lives lived before them. iv. But this point goes back still further, as Peter has outlined for us that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, tasked with being God’s ambassadors on earth to represent Him before the nations. v. And this goes back still further, realizing that God has done all of this to us, in us, and through us – by Himself. He did not rely on us for any of it. Instead, by His grace, He formed us for this. vi. The sum total context is of utmost importance to us – because this is a letter. Peter is drawing one thought from another and we cannot any more divorce a single line from the rest of it than we could isolate any line of an email and try to deduce what is being said. vii. We need the whole. viii. God has done all to make sure that we would become His priests ministering to the nations. Now, with His grace, He expects us to live holy lives – not conforming to our bodily passions or fleshly desires but rather having a heavenly outlook, that is even willing to submit to human authority. Even human authority that is evil. Even if that authority causes us to suffer unjustly for doing no evil or even for doing good. ix. This is what we have been called to, and now Peter comes full circle. He goes back to how God did it all. x. Not to remake the point of God being the sole actor in our salvation. Rather, to push us forward. To encourage us to endure unjust suffering., xi. Why? Why is unjust suffering something we have been called to? Why would God put His people through this? b. [Slide 3] Since Christ also suffered for you i. What is our suffering for? ii. What do we unjustly suffer for here on earth? iii. Why would the bible tell us to rejoice in suffering for the name of Christ? iv. Christ suffered for you. v. Now if we aren’t careful, we could conclude here that Peter is making a point about repayment. That since Christ suffered for you, you must now suffer for Him. God crushed Christ so we must pay Him back with our life. vi. This is neither true nor possible. First, God already owns us. All creation is His. Giving him our lives is nothing more than giving Him what is already His. It is no great act of sacrifice or virtue. vii. Secondly, the scriptures never hint at suffering as a mode of repayment. Indeed, again, we cannot repay God for what He has done for us. And He doesn’t need us to. viii. So, if Peter is not saying we must suffer to repay Christ for suffering for us… what is his point of bringing up Christ’s suffering for us? ix. Well, that takes a little bit to unpack but it begins in what he says next. c. [Slide 4] Leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps. i. In our “theories of the atonement” study we did a couple years back – we looked at several ways theologians down through the centuries have answered the question –What did Christ accomplish with His death? ii. In that study we discovered several aspects of the atonement that were quite illuminating. Most of them are completely valid facets of the atonement as long as they are viewed together and not in isolation. iii. A couple theories supposed that Christ died to give us an example to follow. To show us how to love God with everything we are or how to love people. iv. While we concluded that both of these views on their own are incomplete – there is certainly some aspect to Christ’s death that is an example to us. v. Peter just said it. vi. Of course, we cannot strip this verse out of context. What example did Christ set for us? vii. Suffering. viii. What did He suffer for that we must also suffer for? d. [Slide 5] 22 – He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth i. What follows is basically Peter’s commentary on Isaiah 53. ii. Peter has quoted the Old Testament several times already and will quote and allude to it several more times in this epistle. iii. But here in these next few verses, he quotes from 1 chapter of the bible exclusively. iv. That in and of itself forces us to go and at least read that chapter. v. So, turn in your bible with me to Isaiah 53. Because he quotes from the Septuagint, I’ll read a modern English translation of the Septuagint. vi. The verse Peter quotes here is in verse 9. vii. So how is Peter using Isaiah 53? viii. First of all, he is clearly saying that this one, this one like a child, this root in a thirsty land, with no form or glory – this one who suffers pain for us – this one is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God whom Peter confessed several years before writing these words. ix. What Isaiah wrote 800ish years before, Peter says is a reference to Jesus the Messiah. x. Secondly, and more to Peter’s point, is that Peter brings the suffering of Christ to bear on this discussion of our suffering unjustly. xi. He says that Christ suffered for us as an example to follow. And so, this is the first point of that example. xii. What is Peter saying is Christ’s example in suffering? xiii. He suffered… unjustly. xiv. Put simply, he suffered having done no wrong. He committed no sin and told no lie. xv. But suffered as if He had. xvi. Christ is our example. e. [Slide 6] Passage Truth: So Peter reminds his audience that Christ is their example in enduring suffering. He endured suffering even though he did nothing evil to deserve it. Jesus committed no violence or lawlessness and he told no lies. Yet, he suffered anyway. f. [Slide 7] Passage Application: Peter’s audience then must follow in their Lord’s footsteps and also suffer unjustly. Given their situation, this means enduring slander and suspicion. This means enduring a community that generally sees them as lawbreakers and trouble makers. What Peter’s audience must do is to continue submitting to and honoring their human authorities, even if they will suffer as if they didn’t. In this way they will be like Christ. g. [Slide 8] Broader Biblical Truth: And friends Christ is our example too. True, He is much more than a mere example, but He certainly is an example. The scriptures testify of our need not only for a Savior but for a pattern to follow. The law is essentially a pattern that the Israelites were to follow. And they could not do it, which showed them they needed a Savior. But now, we who have been saved and redeemed by the blood of the lamb do look for the perfect interpretation of the law – which is Christ Jesus our Lord. Actively He humbly submitted to and obeyed the whole law of God. And passively he suffered and died as if He failed it in every point as we have. His suffering for doing no wrong is an example for us. h. [Slide 9] Broader Biblical Application: So, we too must be prepared, because we have been called, to suffer for doing no wrong and for doing good. This is hard to imagine in a time when for the last couple hundred years we’ve lived in a country with freedoms to worship as we please. But the mocking and ridiculing has been around for quite a while. We’ve been mocked and ridiculed for believing that the earth was created and not evolved. We’ve been mocked and ridiculed for believing that any sexual activity outside of a monogamous marital relationship is all that is acceptable. We’ve been mocked and ridiculed for believing that many mental illnesses that our psychologists have labeled as diseases are nothing more than sins ailing a sin enslaved person. And going forward we will continue to be mocked and ridiculed for believing that same sex marriage and attraction is antithetical to God’s law. That God created two complementary genders of which each human is one of, immutably. That Christ can love sinners and still call them to abandon their sin. We will continue to be mocked until the mocking gives way to malice and anger. Being mocked is a form of suffering. And we have endured it. Remember that it is a grace from God to do this. And remember also why we endure it. It is not because we are holier than those who oppose us. It is not because we cling to rigid tradition or ritual. It is because Christ is our Lord and His Words are true, and He has set the example. Though we be falsely accused of being bigots, racists, homophobes, transiphobes, gender illterate, intolerant, or whatever else – May we still love those who curse us. May we still submit to those in authority over us. And in so doing, may we follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Transition: [Slide 10 (blank)] Christ is indeed our example of how to suffer unjustly. But it isn’t only that He was innocent and suffered. There is more to His suffering that we must learn from. II.) Christ is our example of fearing God and honoring all people, so we must follow Christ. (23) a. [Slide 11] 23 – When he was maligned, he did not answer back; i. Was Christ maligned? ii. Indeed, He was. iii. He was accused of blasphemy by the Pharisees. Of working by the power of Satan. iv. He was accused of insurrection and rebellion by the Romans v. He was accused of over familiarity with sinners and Gentiles vi. He was of no esteem, of no repute, of no reputation. Can anything good come from Nazareth? vii. He was mocked and scorned by both thieves on the cross. viii. And he did not say a word in retort. b. [Slide 12] When he suffered; he threatened no retaliation i. Although not a true quote, this is also an allusion to Isaiah 53. Certainly, in verse 7. ii. Though he was beaten, scourged, crowned with thorns, given not one but several kangaroo courts iii. Though he suffered all this… and having all power and able to snuff out the life of every single person against him, in the most painful of ways – and being justified in holy anger to do so… iv. He did not retaliate. v. Friends I couldn’t do that. I struggle showing mercy and kindness to my children… let alone someone who is actively trying to murder me… vi. And praise God I do not have all power. I shudder to think of what I could do with all power against my enemies. vii. Not only did he not retaliate. viii. He didn’t even threaten it. ix. What did He do instead? c. [Slide 13] But committed himself to God who judges justly. i. He feared God. ii. Granted His fear looks different than ours. He and the Father are one. iii. But he allowed God to be the ultimate judge while submitting to unjust judges who were carrying out an unjust death sentence upon Him. iv. He honored human authority. v. My friends this is the pattern that Christ has set out for us. He suffered innocently at the hands of unjust judges who worshipped Caesar as god and crucified Him for claiming to be equal (as a King) to Caesar. vi. He didn’t even deny the charges. He stood silent. vii. Yet he honored human authority. Even saying, that Pilate would have no power to execute Him if it were not given by the Father. viii. That is our pattern. Christ Feared God and honored human authority. ix. I’ve heard people argue that Christ’s death cannot apply to submission to human authority because it was God’s will that He go to the cross. Two thoughts on that. 1. Peter uses His death in that exact way to prove that exact point. Seems like we can too. 2. How do we know that our submission to human authority to do with us as they please either with laws that do not violate God’s overt commands, or punishing us for violating laws that do, how do we know that that is not God’s will for our lives? We already know it is God’s will for us to suffer. Why wouldn’t it be for this exact cause? d. [Slide 14] Passage Truth: Peter reminds his audience that Jesus Christ was the perfect example of suffering while fearing God and honoring human authority. He did not retaliate. He did not argue or fight. He did not start a revolution or raise a rebellion. In fact, he said to Pilate if my kingdom WERE of this world, my followers would not have allowed me to be taken. Interesting that Peter tried to prevent Jesus from being taken and was rebuked for it. He was acting like Jesus was a king with a kingdom from this world. Instead, Jesus is the example of how to fear God, honor people, and suffer unjustly. e. [Slide 15] Passage Application: So, Peter’s audience must follow in their Savior’s footsteps. They must be like Christ. They must submit to human authority and fear God and even suffer for it. But in so doing, they emulate Christ – their prime example. f. [Slide 16] Broader Biblical Truth: Zooming out to the rest of scripture and really our conversation of late – we see Christ as the example of how to handle wicked authority figures. Jesus knew the names of each person in the kangaroo courts. He knew the spiritual condition of each person. Not only did He know, but He wrote their life from end to beginning. He published all they are before time began. As we’ve pointed out, for God to know something is for God to ordain something. For all that is known, is approved of God. Every single one of them, He knew them. And He allowed every one to do as they did – without rebuke, without retaliation, without even a word. All the while He was depending on the justice of God. For He knew that God the Father is the only just judge. g. [Slide 17] Broader Biblical Application: So, for us CBC, we ought not expect human judges and juries and governors and bosses and even parents to be just. Not like God anyway. In fact, we ought to expect the opposite. That they will act in self interest and sin. Therefore, we must follow our Savior’s footsteps. That when we suffer for doing no wrong or for doing good, we must at that moment fear God and honor our human authorities, knowing that this is what Christ did. Even though His government was higher than theirs – He provided an example for His flock. We must endure unjust suffering with Fear for our God and honor for all people. Transition: [Slide 18(blank)] Christ suffered unjustly as the only truly innocent person to ever die. He also suffered trusting God to be judge and honoring human authority who really had no right to punish Him. What an astounding example to us. But this is not all we must see. Christ’s suffering has one final lesson to teach us. And it may be the biggest of the three. III.) Christ is our example of doing good and suffering to turn others to God, so we must follow Christ. (24-25) a. [Slide 19] 24 – He himself bore our sins i. Continuing the theme of Christ’s being the example to us, Peter quotes again from Isaiah 53:4 and 12, where twice Isaiah the prophet tells us that Christ bore our sins. ii. He took our burden. iii. This word can mean to carry up or carry to. It can also mean to bear with or endure. iv. What subtlety here is in play, I don’t want to bog you down with grandiose theological arguments. But some would find it appalling that Christ would somehow become or occupy the place of a sinner. Pure substitution is denied by them for various theological reasons. v. But I believe that regardless of whether Jesus is pictured here as a high priest taking sin to the cross to be offered as a sacrifice, or we see Sin and Christ becoming one to become the sacrifice, both are true and both would say the same thing. vi. But Peter sharpens the point by adding two more phrases. b. [Slide 20] in his body i. Now what is the significance of “in his body” ii. I am going to try really hard to not go too deep into theology here, but I want to warn you that there is a bit of deep stuff on the way. Ok. iii. Here we go. iv. These two statements “in his body” and “on the tree” are easily glossed over but are of utmost significance when we consider the nature of the atonement of Christ and even the doctrines of the deity and humanity of Christ. v. What is the significance of Jesus bearing our sins in his body? vi. In one of the sacrifices performed on the day of atonement, two goats were selected. They cast lots to determine which goat would have which role. One of them was sacrificed on the altar for the sins of the people. But they laid their hands on the other goat and ceremonially transferred their sins to it. Then they set it loose into the wilderness. They sent it out from the camp, cutting it off from the covenant community. vii. What the ceremony of the scapegoat communicated to the people is that not only did the sacrifice of the goat not truly pay for the sins of the people, but that the sins were so great they must be purged of it. It separates them from God’s promises. And the goat then takes their place. He is given their sin and is then pushed outside the camp. viii. Peter when he says Jesus bore our sins in his body alludes to this kind of sacrifice. ix. Furthermore… x. When the bible speaks of the effect of sin on us, it speaks as though we are wholly corrupted. That our hearts are evil and deceitful. That there is no righteousness in us. That our very souls have been compromised by sin. xi. In other words, it is not simply our body that is sinful, it is our whole person. xii. Jesus is God who added human nature to Himself. He had one will consisting of both the divine and human. He had one spirit consisting of both human and divine. Not blended together and not two separated either. Like man is both soul and body so Christ was both God and man. xiii. We can no more send our soul on vacation while our body remains working than Christ could separate his humanity from His divinity. Yet they were not a garbled mess either. Distinct yet joined. xiv. So, when Jesus bore our sin in His body… what does that mean? xv. What can it mean other than our sin was imputed to His human body. Indeed, as the scripture says, He became sin. xvi. What was pictured in the scapegoat and the goat sacrifice? 2 goats foreshadowing the accomplishment of one goal. And here is Christ with two natures accomplishing that goal. Christ’s body became the vessel for our sin. All sin of all His people was transferred to it on the cross. He carried that goat (his body) outside the camp (the hill of Golgotha) and was sacrificed for it. xvii. But we dare not think or consider that His Divine person and attributes became infested with sin. Such a thought would be heretical and cause so great a theological quagmire that we may as well chuck the whole thing. xviii. Furthermore, for Him to be a sacrifice that is acceptable his human spirit would need to remain innocent and pure. xix. Stating that he bore our sin in His body then, although He is the God-Man, puts a fine line between where the sin was born. xx. And that matters because when Jesus dies on the cross and the wrath of God is poured out on Him – He suffers physical death in His body with sin infesting it – but he does not suffer spiritual death to his divine or human spirit. Why? Because that is not where sin was. xxi. Certainly, God cut off communication to His Son on the cross as Jesus cried out – why have you forsaken me! But communication cut is not the same as relationship severed. xxii. Indeed, we know it was God’s will to crush His Son and to lay on Him sin. So how could God be displeased with His Son doing what He ordained Him to do. xxiii. And since the sin He bore was in His body alone, it was only His body and not His human Spirit that was cut off from God. xxiv. And so, it was the physical death of Christ that expiated our sin, propitiated God’s wrath, and His blood that ratified a new covenant. xxv. By these three little words Peter guides his audience and future Christians not to assume that God’s wrath poured out on His Son for the sake of His people is the same thing as spiritual death. xxvi. So, we then must ask – how is the physical death of Jesus able to pay for the spiritual death of His people? How can Jesus suffer physical death once and be dead for less than 72 hours and that be enough to pay for our eternal death? 1. His spirit both human and divine, being perfect, innocent, and one in whom God is well pleased means that His death is truly the only death that was unearned. Of all the “innocent” life lost on this earth, truly speaking if we are be theologically accurate, the only life that was ever to have been snuffed out in innocence is the Lord Jesus Christ’s. Our death cannot even pay for our sin. Our physical death could never restore us to a pleasing status with God. That is why it is eternal death. Remember, there is no credit for suffering for committing sin. To die for our own sin would be to get what we deserve – and with no means to actually please God – God is just to commit us to that death forever. But Christ is perfect… for true innocence to die after having sin transferred to His body makes it a sacrifice able to pay for the sins of His people. 2. He is God. The only creature that could ever be able to endure the wrath of God – would be God Himself. Even high and lofty angelic creatures will be put under His feet and put in their proper place. And some of them will be doomed to eternal wrath of God. Why is it eternal? For if God would pour it out fully on them at once, they would be utterly destroyed, which would be to give them a mercy and make God unjust. But if God poured out what would be His eternal wrath for all His people on God the Son – He can take that wrath. And when it was expended – used up, When he drank that bitter cup dregs and all – He said -It is finished. 3. Our Catechism questions for today asks what sort of redeemer is needed. And the answer – one who is truly human and also truly God. And Peter shows us why that is. xxvii. Jesus had to be human so that He could provide a human vessel that was capable of bearing and dying for sin – but sin that was not His own. And God so He could endure God’s wrath. xxviii. But the deep theology doesn’t stop here… No groans please