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1 Peter 5:1–6 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Elder, shepherd, overseer – these terms used by Peter here are referring to what would today be called a pastor. Peter sees himself in that role as well. Yes, he is an apostle, one sent out by Jesus, but he could also relate to being one who cared for other members of the body of Christ. We don’t know where Peter served as a “pastor” of a local congregation, but it is very possible, even likely, that he did so.

 The reason I have this opinion comes from what I know about Peter in the Gospel accounts. You know he made the bold promise that he would defend Jesus to the death, only to deny Jesus three times after He was arrested (John 18:15-27). He regretted doing so, and that was not then end of the story. After the resurrection, Jesus spoke to Peter privately and asked three times, “Peter, do you love me?” Each time he affirmed that he did, Jesus told him “Feed my lambs…take care of my sheep…feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19). It seems logical that Peter would have taken that command literally and personally.

Peter also tells us to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another …  Humble yourselves…” I would imagine He was remembering the way Jesus modeled that behavior at the Last Supper when He wrapped a towel around His waist and washed the feet of His disciples. Peter was the one who objected to this, but Jesus said if he would not allow Him to wash his feet, Peter would have no part of the kingdom. Hearing that, Peter then wanted an entire bath from his Lord! This humble act of service by Jesus gives us a pattern of how we are to serve others.

All of this is in the context of God giving us grace and lifting us up. That is what He has done for us in Christ. He has rescued us from sin and death. He gave His life so we could live. We should want to respond to that with lives of humble service to others for His sake.

1 Peter 4:12-19   Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Back in 1972, Kris Kristofferson released the song “Why Me Lord?”  He recognized that he did not deserve anything good from God because of the life he had lived, but was grateful for experiencing God’s grace in his life. I’ve tried to live with that same attitude. Kris shares a bit about the song in this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tA7E7pbUws

For most people, the question “Why Me?” is asked with a different attitude. Why did I have to get sick? Why do bad things always happen to me? Why don’t I have more blessings than I do?  We seem to think we deserve to have nothing but good things in our lives.

The passage above corrects that notion. “…do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Suffering in this life is the norm. The question we ask is whether or not it is deserved. If you have done wrong and are suffering for it, that is deserved. However, if you are suffering because you are a follower of Jesus, Peter says that is actually a blessing. Praise God that you bear His name! And continue striving to live the new life to which you have been called. Remember, those who have faith already have forgiveness and life as a gift from God. That was undeserved, but God gives it to you because of what Jesus did in your place.

I think it is interesting that the one who writes this for us is the same one who objected to Jesus saying He would have to suffer.

Matthew 16:21–23 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

The “things of God” were the life and salvation that Jesus would earn for us. He lived without sin, took our sin on Himself, and paid for it all so that we would not have to be punished eternally.

“Why me Lord? What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known? Tell me Lord, what did I ever do that was worth loving you or the kindness you’ve shown?”

We don’t deserve anything good from God. But He loves us and sent Jesus to accomplish our pardon. That’s grace.

1 Peter 4:9-11  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Over the years I recall many times trying to recruit volunteers for various things at church. One of the most used reasons for declining the invitation was “that’s not my gift.”  There are lots of things teachers and DCEs and ministers and pastors do that are “not their gift,” and they do them to make sure they get done. For that they deserve our thanks. You do not have to have a gift for something to do it. But that is a discussion for another day.

Today’s text tells you to use your gifts in God’s service. Use your gifts to share God’s grace with others. It is significant to note that Peter does not say “if you have a gift.” He tells you to use the gift(s) you have. God has given gifts to everyone. Paul makes the same point in Romans 12:6  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”

Do you know what yours are? It is often something you enjoy doing. Have you considered how you can use your gift(s) to serve God? No doubt many of you have thought about this and strive to do so. If you have not, maybe today is the day for you to think about it and then do something!

It is all about sharing the reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15). You have heard and believe that Jesus lived and died and rose again to give you the certainty of sin forgiven and life eternal. God wants you to know and believe that, to be sure. But He has gifted you uniquely to spread that message in your sphere of influence, among your family and friends and neighbors.

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:7-8 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

We are often tempted to think “it’s the end of the world” when there is political upheaval or a surge in violent crime or a terrible flood in Texas that claims over 100 lives, many of them children.

Peter says we should always have that mindset: “The end of all things is near.” But Peter is not suggesting that we should say those words in a despairing way, but with the confidence that Jesus is coming back, so the end is near. That is a good thing!

Today you are one day closer to His return. That should have an impact on the way you live your lives. Note that one thing Peter reminds you to do is PRAY! I think too many of us relegate prayer to a last resort, something we do when all else fails. God would have us come to him in prayer constantly (1 Thess. 5:17) about anything and everything.

As we live in a state of readiness for this world to end and Jesus to return, another thing God told Peter to share with us is this: “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

The call for Christians to love is a repeated refrain throughout the New Testament. We are to love others the way Jesus loved us. We are to love the world the way God loves the world.

“Love covers a multitude of sins” needs to be understood properly. We are called to love others, warts and all. We love people who are sinners, because that is everyone. Love forgives others when they sin against us. But our love and our forgiveness do not appease God’s anger over sin or make sinners right with God. That happens only through Christ. If people do not put their trust and confidence in Him, they will not have God’s forgiveness and eternal life.

Maybe God tells us to love others the way we have been loved by Him so that they will be drawn to Him. Perhaps your kindness and compassion to others will be the way to expose them to the Good News of God’s grace. Is it possible that God tells His people to love others deeply so that they will come to know Him and His love? That is precisely the reason!

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

If we love this way, we can help others get ready for Jesus’ return.

1 Peter 4:1-6 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

The “Therefore” that begins this passage refers back 1 Peter 3:18 – “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

Followers of Jesus will have suffering. It is part of the fallen world in which we live. The sufferings meant here are those that are unjust because we do good, just as Christ suffered in his body for doing nothing but good.

Because Jesus bought us back from sin and death, we have the desire to live for Him and not to satisfy our sinful longings. If only we could do so. We continue to fall short of how God would have us live. Paul wrote a bit about that in Romans 7.

Part of the problem is that this world will continue to tempt us. It seems alluring, but when we give in to those temptations there is an almost instantaneous regret. And we know we will have to face Jesus as our Judge. Thankfully, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness.

Verse 6 is worth noting. Can you preach to the dead? Jesus had preached/proclaimed victory after His triumph, but that does not appear to be what Peter is talking about here.

Hebrews 9:27 makes it clear that once you die you are judged, there is no more opportunity to come to faith. So preaching the gospel to those who have died would be pointless. So what does this mean?

First and foremost I think it refers to the gospel being preached to people who have since died. It was preached to them before they physically died so that they could be led to believe by the Holy Spirit and have eternal life.

There is another way to understand this passage as well. It is possible to be physically alive and spiritually dead. Those who do not believe in Jesus are in this condition. If you are spiritually dead and die physically, you will be eternally dead. That is the condition of those “spirits in prison” mentioned in the last chapter. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to those who are spiritually dead now so that they can believe the message and have life now and life forever.

God wants everyone to be saved from damnation. That is why He sent Jesus to us. That is why He wants us to share the message.

1 Peter 3:15-18a But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Yesterday’s passage spoke about suffering for doing good, as does today’s. That can and most likely will happen in the lives of followers of Jesus. That is why the encouragement and admonition of 1 Peter 3:15 needs to be heard loud and clear:

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

The first thing we need to do is make sure that Jesus is the Lord of our hearts and lives. The word translated as “set apart” is the word that is often translated as “holy.” If fact, other translations use “sanctify,” and the ESV says “honor Christ the Lord as holy.” God is indeed holy, set apart and distinct from this world of sin. Yet He chose to come into this fallen world to bring His holiness to us. After paying the penalty our sins deserved, He declares us to be His holy people and calls us to new lives of obedience. That happens when we set apart Christ in our hearts, when we honor Him as holy.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  This verse has had a profound impact on my life. It reminds me that I should be in a state of constant readiness to tell people about my Savior. I know what He had done for me through His incarnation, birth, life, death and resurrection. I know that assures me of complete forgiveness and life eternal. Other people do not yet know or believe that. So those of us who DO KNOW IT need to always be ready to tell those who don’t.

Don’t overthink this. Don’t let the devil convince you that you cannot do this. Don’t use the excuse that you don’t have all the answers. All you have to do it tell them what you know. You know the love of God in Christ. You know that He died for you and for everyone. You know that those who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. You know that “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 

1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”

Will people harm you if you do the right thing? Of course they will! Those who stand up to evil will be persecuted and harmed for doing so. That is why many chose to say nothing and do nothing. They want to cruise through life under the radar, without making any waves. They fear repercussions and reprisals if they stand up for what it right.

A long time ago someone gave me some advice that I have shared with a lot of people in my life, and I continue to share it: “You will never regret doing the right thing.” I have found that to be true in my life. Oh, sure, Satan has made me question my decisions to do the right thing, but I have not regretted living my life that way. Do I always do the right thing? I wish! The times I did not do the right thing are the ones I remember and regret.

Any suffering that I may have endured or encountered in this life for choosing to do what God would have me do is inconsequential. I try to make my choices in the context of knowing what Jesus did for me. He did good, always. He did the “right thing.” And He was put to death for it. Willingly. He did that for the life of the world. He paid the penalty for all the times I chose not to “do good.” And that assures me of forgiveness.

An old hymn came to mind as I was pondering this passage. I hope this will speak to you today.

How can I thank Thee, Lord, For all they loving-kindness,
That Thou hast patiently Borne with me in my blindness?
When dead in many sins And trespasses I lay,
I kindled, holy God, Thine anger every day. 

It is Thy work alone That I am now converted;
O’er Satan’s work in me Thou hast Thy pow’r asserted.
Thy mercy and Thy grace That rise afresh each morn
Have turned my stony heart Into a heart new-born.

I could but grieve Thee, Lord, And with my sins displease Thee;
Yet to atone for sin My works could not appease Thee.
Though I could fall from grace And choose the way of sin,
I had no strength to rise, A new life to begin.

But Thou hast raised me up To joy and exultation
And clearly shown the way That leads me to salvation.
My sins are washed away, For this I thank Thee, Lord;
And with my heart and soul All dead works are abhorred.

Grant that Thy Spirit’s help To me be always given
Lest I should fall again And lose the way to heaven;
That He may give me strength In mine infirmity
And e’er renew my heart To serve Thee willingly.

Oh, guide and lead me, Lord, While here below I wander
That I may follow Thee Till I shall see Thee yonder.
For if I led myself, I soon would go astray;
But if Thou leadest me, I keep the narrow way.

O Father, God of Love, Hear Thou my supplication;
O Savior, Son of God, Grant my Thy full salvation;
And Thou, O Holy Ghost, Be Thou my faithful Guide
That I may serve Thee here And there with Thee abide.
(The Lutheran Hymnal #417)

To serve thee willingly … that I may follow Thee … I keep the narrow way.

Lord, knowing what you have done for me, keep me always “eager to do good.”

1 Peter 3:8-12. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Living in harmony is easy to say but extremely difficult to do. People usually make an effort to do so with their friends and neighbors and family members, even if they are not always successful. However, if there are people who you don’t like, people who have different values than you do, people whose culture is very different than yours, you may not try very hard to “live in harmony.”

The same was true at the time of Christ. That is why God led Peter to address this issue in his epistle. These words are directed to the Church, believers, encouraging them to “be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called…”

Being the followers of Jesus, those who know who He is and what He did for us with His life of perfection, substitutionary death and subsequent victory over death, we have a calling. We are to live a new way. Our behavior should be modified, attempting to follow the example of our Lord Himself. “Turn from evil and do good.”

As you consider this calling, take note of the characteristics you should have: “be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” Again, things easier said than done.

The good news is these are not things you have to do in your own strength. You have the strength you need available to you.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Dear Father, transform me from being a person who does not want to put in the effort to live in harmony with others into one who follows the example of Jesus, drawing on the power He provides to live as you would have us live. Amen.

1 Peter 3:1-7 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

If yesterday’s devotion about Peter’s use of the word “submission” didn’t cause a stir, today’s should! It is like Paul’s counsel in Ephesians 5. However, unlike Paul, Peter was married. Shouldn’t he have known better than to tell wives to be submissive?

Let’s go back to the meaning of the word SUBMIT: it is an act of faith, putting your needs under the needs of others. This does not have to be demeaning, especially if it is done “for the Lord’s sake.” And don’t take this passage out of context. Peter was just writing about Jesus as our example of submission. Not only that, but Peter also admonishes husbands to be considerate of their wives, treat them with respect, and love them as sisters in Christ. Paul did the same thing, telling husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. He loved the church enough to die for “her” and rescue “her” from sin and death. If husbands love their wives this way, wives won’t have any trouble submitting to them. It will be a partnership that follows God’s design and plan.

Years ago I came across a blog by a young lady who was a college student. I did not save her information or I would credit this to her, but this is what she wrote:

“Wait for the man who pursues you; the one who will make an ordinary moment seem magical, the kind of man who brings out the best in you and makes you want to be a better woman.  Wait for the man who will be your best friend; the person who will drop everything when you need him.  Wait for the man who makes you smile like no other boy makes you smile.  Wait for the man who wants to show you off to the world.  Wait for the man who praises God with you and encourages you daily in your walk.  Most importantly, wait for the man who is more in love with God than with you.”

Men would do well to follow the same advice: “find a woman more in love with God than with you.”

Shortly after we became “empty nesters” and we were both still working, Cheryl and I both had a particularly long day. On my way home, I stopped and bought her a bouquet of flowers and a pizza for us to share. She was home when I got there, and as I walked into the house with my gifts I asked, “Who’s your hero?” and without missing a beat she replied very matter-of-factly “Jesus!” While that deflated me for a moment, I realized that it was the perfect answer. What a joy to know she loves her Savior that much, because I know she loves me the way He wants her to love me! And I strive to love her the way Jesus wants me to love her.