In verse 21 Peter told us that Jesus gave us His life as an example on how we should persevere through suffering. He said that Jesus should be our model of how to live. The following verses provide a quick but wonderful summary of Jesus’ life. Some things we can imitate while other things we simply cannot because of our nature. These verses reflect a highly regarded section of the book of Isaiah. Even though when Christians read Isaiah 52:13-53:12, they can easily see that the subject of these verses is Jesus, Peter leaves no doubt. This section of Isaiah outlines much of the suffering Jesus endured during His ministry. The section of Isaiah is often referred to as the “Holy of Holies in the Old Testament.”
Just as Peter pointed out that Jesus fulfilled other prophecies of the Old Testament (see 1 Peter 2:6-8 quoting Isaiah 28:16, see also Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14) he bridges the prophecies of Isaiah chapters 52-53 to Jesus. This section of Isaiah, along with Psalm 22, provides powerful evidence demonstrating that Jesus is indeed the Messiah of the Old Testament; this passage from Isaiah is something that every Christian should know or at least be aware of.
2:22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
Peter begins with something we simply cannot emulate or imitate. We should never overlook the fact that Jesus committed no sin as this qualified Him to be our Savior. Peter continues with the fact that there was no deceit found in His mouth. The Bible makes it very clear that what comes out of our mouth is very important. This is something we can emulate as we need to always be alert of what we say. James teaches us that what we say exposes what is on our hearts (see also Isaiah 6:5; Matthew 15:18-20; James 1:26; 3:2-12, etc.)
2:23 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.
When accusations were made against Jesus He did not respond. This is something we could emulate however it is often difficult to remain quiet while someone hurls insults at you or at a loved one (see Matthew 5:11-12). Jesus, when He suffered did not return with any threats, even though He certainly could have retaliated. This again is very difficult to emulate. Seems like its human nature to wish disaster on someone who doesn’t agree with us (see Luke 9:51-56).
The last part of this verse is something we need to completely embrace if we are going to be true followers of Jesus, as He continuously trusted His Father see Luke 23:46). The word translated as “continued entrusting himself” is an imperfect tense verb[1] implying a continuous on-going action. Jesus set the standard for us to trust God regardless of where we are, what’s happening to us, what we are doing, and what time it is.
2:24 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.
This verse begins with something we cannot do, “He himself” (Jesus) “bore our sins.” He was sinless yet He willingly took on the weight of our sins. This is called “substitutionary redemption,” meaning He suffered for our sake (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13-14). I don’t think we will ever know, or experience, what that strain was like, and I agree with many scholars, He did not receive a ‘discount rate’ for taking on the burden of all of our sins!
“He himself bore our sins in His body.” This phrase reminds me that Jesus did not take on this load as some form of spiritual being, He took on this burden physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually as a human being, just as Isaiah stated “he was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (see Isaiah 53:4). The book of Revelation reminds us about two pre-qualifications to be our redeemer: 1) Jesus had to be sinless; and 2) a descendant of Adam (in other words, a man, see Revelation chapter 5). The concept of God being man is difficult for us to understand and is often the subject of great debate, but we must believe through faith, and accept that this is true.
Peter in describing the cross, used a word that is often translated as ‘tree’. This word can also be translated as a wood beam or wooden cross. But it is also the word used to describe what we might call in English, ‘stocks’ or ‘shackles’, but in this case Jesus willingly took on the restraints, it was His love that held Him to the cross, not some physical restraint.[2] He did that so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (see Romans 6:5-14). The word used by Peter translated here as ‘die’ essentially means, “to be removed from.”[3] Jesus died so that we might be removed from the grasp of sin and live in His righteousness.
Quoting from Isaiah, Peter now notes that we are healed by Jesus’ wounds. We need to understand that sin is the ultimate cause of all pain, suffering, and illness and therefore since Jesus conquered sin and death, we are indeed healed. We are no longer condemned by sin. If atonement included physical healing of all illnesses and suffering, all Christians would be well, but instead we were called to suffer (see verse 21). The healing described by Peter points to our ultimate future healing of all suffering when we are with Him in heaven. Isaiah’s prophecy was also partially fulfilled during Jesus’ ministry, “And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:14-17)
2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Peter in quoting Isaiah 53:6 reminds us that we were once like sheep wandering aimlessly without a shepherd. But now we have a Shepherd (see John 10:11) and an Overseer. The Greek word translated here as ‘returned’ implies an action of repenting and a conversion.
In this chapter Peter has pointed out that we are to willingly submit and endure suffering just as Jesus did. Peter also points out that we are to proclaim the Word (verse 9) and to keep our conduct around non-believers honorable to glorify God (verse 12). Peter says we are to submit and suffer so that we can demonstrate to others that our faith in Jesus is real. I see it as an equation S + S = S or put in another way, our suffering and submission to authorities provides living proof of the validity of the gospel which in turn helps unbelievers to see the truth and hopefully be open to accepting Jesus as their personal Savior. If Jesus is real in our lives, then others will be more open minded to knowing Jesus. If we fail to model Jesus and act like everyone else in the world, unbelievers will never be able to see the difference between believers and unbelievers.
Therefore:
S + S = S
Submission + Suffering = Salvation for others! The decision is yours, who are you going to model? Jesus or the world?
⇐Previous Chapter (Introduction/Index) Next Chapter⇒
[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2004). 1 Peter (p. 168). Chicago: Moody Publishers.
[2] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 3586
[3] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 581