1 Peter 2:22-23
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.
This verse 22 is a direct quotation from Isaiah 53:9b. The verse speaks of the Messiah’s innocent unjust sufferings at the hands of the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus was blameless and sinless. Jesus was guiltless and unspotted by any transgressions. Matthew 26:59, 60 says, “the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.” Peter was recounting the whole scene of Jesus’ arrest, questioning and inflictions (John 18:19-24) in this one single verse 23. Peter looks back to Jesus’ demeanor in the midst of assault and humiliation and tells his readers to emulate likewise.
But it does not mean that Christians are masochist. Christians do not for a minute take pleasure in pain. But if the pain and suffering is to bring about the good in others, then Christians are willing to lay themselves down. Christians are willing to go the second mile if that sacrifice can help people see the goodness of God. Every work that can reveal more of Christlikeness, Christians are willing to put their hands to it. As God justly judged Christ Jesus and exalted him to the highest place (Philippians 2:9-11), so also Christians who submit to God’s judgment will see that they are vindicated at the proper time.
Prayer: Lord God, we ask for strength and patience in the midst of our pain and suffering. May Christ be made more clear in our obedience to your Holy Scriptures, amen.
