December 7, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 2 : 13-23

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But 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. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When 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. 24He 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. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This passage reminded me of how we should pray for our president and the people that run our country more. Barack Obama needs prayers and I really need to work on that.

Aside from that, verses 18-21 speaks about submission as slaves. Jesus was the ultimate servant; someone who served other selflessly and endured the ultimate punishment for doing nothing wrong. We must be servants as well and endure the persecution that comes to us not because we have done wrong (sin), but because we have done and believed what is right. Because Christ has suffered for us, that we should be there for others.

Verses 22-25 speaks of how true Jesus was to us. Gosh.. I love you Jesus.

"not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh." I think this can be applied to more than just our rulers and masters. This verse reminds of me James 1 being "slow to anger and quick to listen". Even to those people that annoy or anger me, I need to consider their being as well because, you know, Jesus considered me.

Amen.