December 8th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Father, Forgive Them…

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Eternal God, I thank You for the gift of another day. As I wait before You, speak Your Word to me.

Read 1 Peter 2:11-25

[11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. [13] Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, [14] or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. [15] For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. [16] Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. [17] Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. [18] Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. [19] For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. [20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “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 cross, 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.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“The Cross …involves the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, bearing in our bodies the marks of his living and dying here on earth” (John N. Gladstone).

Think Further

Jeremiah and Peter both addressed people who were facing difficulties. Jeremiah encouraged his readers to have faith in God in times of injustice and suffering. He helped his hearers to find peace in the knowledge that everything was not just happening by chance, but that God was in control. God was just and those who perpetrated injustice would be dealt with. However, Jeremiah himself sometimes showed considerable impatience with those who acted treacherously. On one occasion he reacted angrily against his enemies and prayed, “Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!” (Jer. 12:3).

Peter was also writing to people who had suffered injustice. Some were slaves who had to endure harsh discipline, unjust, inhumane treatment and unfair punishment. Peter does not brush this injustice under the carpet. These people have every right to feel angry and frustrated. However, since such feelings would only make their situation worse, Peter points them to Jesus as the supreme example of someone who suffered injustice with dignity and patience.

Jeremiah’s outbursts of anger were understandable in the context of the suffering and deceit that he endured, but Peter directs the attention of Christians who suffered in Roman society to the example of Jesus. Peter reminded them that “when they hurled their insults at him [Jesus], he did not retaliate” (23). Jesus showed patience and perseverance in the midst of suffering because he knew that it was all part of the divine plan and purpose. This knowledge that our lives are not just chance happenings, but that they have a deeper meaning, is the pathway to true peace, even in the midst of adversity.

Apply

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10). Pray for Christians in countries where they are persecuted.

Closing prayer

Father, taking up my cross seems so very hard. When things get difficult, empower me to live in a Christ-like manner.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store