1 Peter 2:19-25 (NRSV)
Read 1 Peter 2:19-25 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. Verse 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. Verse 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. Verse 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." Verse 23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. Verse 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. Verse 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Devotion
This epistle was addressed to early Christians who were struggling to live out the gospel while experiencing persecution because of their faith from the larger society and the state. We live in a country where our religious gatherings are safe from state persecution and relatively safe from other threats. But throughout our world today more than 388 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. This letter must seem a word of encouragement for these struggling Christians, particularly as they are reminded of what Christ endured for them at the hands of those who abused him. It would be good for our local faith communities to remember those being persecuted for their faith, lift them up in prayer, and offer whatever support we can. The good news is that despite threats of death in many countries of the world, the church remains alive, active, and even growing in those places as they seek to follow the shepherd and guardian of their souls.
Prayer
Good Shepherd, Guardian of our souls, we lift up our sisters and brothers in the faith who are suffering unjustly for following the way of Christ. Sustain them in their faith, support them as they struggle to remain faithful, and unite them with the whole Christian church. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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