Day 210, 1 Peter 2
Peter began his letter highlighting the Word living in each of his readers’ lives - Jesus the promised Savior. Now, he develops some of the themes further: we are to grow up into living stones, who are built by God into a dwelling, with Jesus as the cornerstone. This necessarily involves us abandoning traits that characterize those who stumble over Jesus the cornerstone who is also a stumbling block!
As we move away from old patterns, that makes us outsiders, foreigners, in this world. Living as foreigners requires that we respect and honor the authority structures that surround us, while living in freedom. This is a strong challenge to Peter’s readers, because the Emperor at the time was Nero, who would later execute Peter by crucifixion!
Our example and model for this challenge is Jesus: who never sinned, spoke deceitfully or retaliated against those who crucified Him. Peter himself will willingly follow Jesus into death, knowing that Jesus’ resurrection guarantees his own eternal life. It is an irresistible victory over persecution to submit to it and allow God to bring victory even through death!
Have a great day!
Mark.