2:21 To 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.” 23 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.24 He 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. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 

3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…

 3:22 He has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Three dimensions

  1. Substitute
  2. Shepherd
  3. Standard

Sinless substitute

He committed no sin. (2:22; Isaiah 53:9)

He was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

He appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. (1 John 3:5)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Substitute

Christ suffered for you… He bore our sins in his body on the tree… by his wounds you have been healed. (2:21, 24)

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (3:18)

Bore sins on the tree

“You killed him by hanging him on a tree” (Acts 5:30). “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.” (Acts 10:39)

 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)

Sin-bearing substitute

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed… the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all… the LORD makes his life a guilt offering… he bore the sin of many. (Isaiah 53)

Sacrifice

He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself… Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:26, 28)

Precious blood

…sprinkling by his blood... redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1:2, 18-19)

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)

The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Penal substitutionary atonement

Christ suffered for you… He bore our sins in his body on the tree… by his wounds you have been healed. (2:21, 24)

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (3:18)

Three dimensions

  1. Substitute
  2. Shepherd
  3. Standard

Shepherd

… 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.  (2:24-25)

 

Sheep

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all… he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53)
 

Shepherd

He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms (Is 40:11)

The Lord is my Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)

I have found my lost sheep. (Luke 15:6)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

Shepherd & overseer

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers… 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. (5:2-4)

Three dimensions

  1. Substitute
  2. Shepherd
  3. Standard

Standard

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. (2:21-23)

Jesus set the standard

Serve: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:15)

Suffer: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

Silent sufferer

Many false witnesses came forward…. But Jesus remained silent. (Matt 26:63)

Herod asked him a lot of questions, but Jesus did not answer… Herod and his soldiers made fun of Jesus and insulted him. (Luke 23:9-11)

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge. (Matthew 27:12-14)

Forgive others, trust God

“Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34)

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

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. (2:23)

In his steps

• Serve like slaves in lowliest tasks.

• Bear undeserved pain as an honor.

• Submit to God’s will; seek His glory.

• Endure insults patiently and quietly.

• Forgive attackers; don’t fight back.

• Deny self to help others be saved.

• Trust Judge to make things right.

Fix eyes on Jesus

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross... Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Three dimensions

  1. Substitute
  2. Shepherd
  3. Standard 

Last modified: Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 3:34 PM