1 Peter 2:24-25 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. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

It’s clear that Peter is restating Isaiah 53:4-6, and it is all the more moving for that. He had been a direct observer of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy and he had experienced the benefits in his own life. I have a very warm spot in my heart for Peter, because he is such a beautiful example of a deeply flawed human being who recognizes his total dependence on, and debt to, Jesus Christ. It is certainly no accident that God chose him to lead the Early Church. He is a perfect illustration of the Kingdom reality that the way up is down. That is, as he himself wrote, if we humble ourselves before God, He lifts us up when it is appropriate. (1 Peter 5:6) This is something Jesus talked about, (Mark 9:33-37 and many more) and Peter experienced it first hand in a number of ways. Paul is famous for writing about grace, but Peter certainly experienced it and rejoiced in it. In the section from verse 13, Peter is very practical, applying life in Christ to real-world situations that we all deal with. (We may not be slaves, but some employment situations feel like we are!) However, he comes back to Jesus, because everything is about Him.


I too need to be totally centered on Jesus, fully aware that I can do nothing good on my own. (John 15:5) I have my own set of weaknesses and faults, and I am fully as dependent on the grace and mercy of God as Peter was. My prayer is that I would be as faithful to the end as he was. Some people have pointed out that in some ways I am more analogous to Paul, having been raised steeped in Scripture in an academic family, rather than as a fisherman or manual laborer, but I don’t try to “take sides.” Rather, I am to live out my own unique calling in my own unique circumstances, and encourage those around me to do the same.


Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You did yesterday, and for all You have planned for today. I expected to be in the hospital today, so my schedule is clear. Help me not waste a minute of today, but rather do Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!