Our Scripture meditation is based on 1 Peter 2:19-20 from next week’s Epistle Lesson, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. For a meditation on the Gospel Lesson, click HERE.
[19] For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
I remember clearly my anxiety in sending our oldest child to the public high school. I felt this even though he was raised in a confessing Lutheran home and attended LCMS schools through 8th Grade. I knew he would pay a price for his faith, even in our rural and largely conservative community. Whether we were comfortable or not, my wife and I were sending out alone a 14-year-old missionary.
Such experiences bring our Scripture passage into clear focus. We are to respond to unjust suffering as Jesus responded to His suffering. While difficult for us to endure, the Apostle Peter tells us such a response is gracious in the sight of God.
I think God gives us this instruction in part to keep us from sinning when responding to suffering for the faith. When facing opposition will we respond as Peter himself did when Jesus was being arrested? (John 10) Remember, Peter cut of the ear of the high priest’s servant with a sword. Or will we respond as Jesus’ responded to Pontius Pilate, choosing not to call down a legion of angels for protection during His Passion? (Matthew 26)
I also can’t help but think we receive this instruction to help us to witness for Christ. In our society we are expected to defend ourselves when unjustly treated. That is why people notice when we choose not to strike back when unjustly treated. Some people will wonder why we are not striking back. That is our opportunity to speak of Jesus.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 