Seeds for 05/09/2024 - 1 Peter 2:18-25
Scripture:
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. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 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. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
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. “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.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Observation:
Yesterday we paused to consider what principles of well-grounded scripture reading might help us observe and reflect well on a tough passage such as this one. There are many, but what I have on my mind as I read this text is: (1) Since this is inspired scripture, it is faithful instruction to its first recipients in the particulars of their context. So, we do not reject this text, but endeavor to read it well. (2) We acknowledge that it is written for us (that is, for the purpose of holy scripture in the believer’s life; see 2 Timothy 3:14-17), but it is not written to us. This text in particular may not be relevant to most if not all of us today in a direct sense. However, since it is for us, there is still wisdom to gain.
Let’s name at least two related challenges with this text up front: (1) It seems to be too tolerant of the institution of slavery, and (2) it seems to disempower people in slavery from working for justice and freedom. This is a criticism of the New Testament and even the Bible as a whole. While the biblical witness takes for granted some forms of slavery in the ancient world, it has been demonstrated that the overall witness of the Bible moves towards freedom and against slavery (samples: article on the OT, article on the NT).
We can’t settle the last word on this passage, but here are a few observations.
First, even though the Bible does not universally endorse persons continuing to submit to slavery (example: Exodus), in this instance, Peter seems to assume a context in which abolition is not an immediate option.
Second, Peter advises his audience to attend to what is in their control, regardless what is outside of their control. They can bear up under unjust suffering. They can ensure that they avoid doing wrong, regardless of whether they are punished or not.
Third, when they suffer unjustly, they are not alone in that situation, for Christ suffered unjustly too. Therefore, they are dignified by Jesus’ solidarity with those who have suffered unjustly. Furthermore, there is spiritual power through suffering that can undercut worldly power.
Fourth, they too are in need of and offered the grace of God in Christ that forgives, cleanses, and makes us whole.
I assert that this text and the perspective it shares would support non-violent resistance to unjust persons, societies, and structures. In the American Civil Rights movement, non-violent resistance was the hallmark strategy. By embracing suffering as the consequence of the unjust society and situation in which they lived, demonstrators turned the tables on the society at large. They gained power by exposing the cruelty and evil of those perpetuating injustice and ultimately produced great change. The example of Jesus demonstrated that although unjust suffering is evil, that evil act can be co-opted for a redemptive purpose.
Application:
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom in how I approach and endure suffering, so that you may either deliver me from it or co-opt it for a redemptive purpose. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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