Friday, March 12, 2010

Jesus the Shepherd of our Souls

1 Peter 2:18-25 (ESV)
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [19] For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [25] For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
“Turn the other cheek” Christ says. It is not always easy to do so. And there are times, perhaps, when it isn’t even right to do so. And something that Christians often forget is turning your own cheek is not the same as forcing your neighbor to turn his. It is one thing not to defend yourself, it is quite another not to speak up for the poor and defenseless. Turning the other cheek should not be used as an excuse for cowardice.
Yet, we have the strength to suffer wrongs done to us. We can turn the other cheek. Christ here is more than an example, though he is that in regards to this. Christ himself suffered unjustly, that he might save us from our sins that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. He entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. So we to entrust ourselves to him, knowing that no matter how much we didn’t deserve it, in his just judgment he has declared us innocent for the sake of His son Jesus Christ. He have salvation, we have life. We have been healed by his wounds, and He is now the shepherd and bishop of our souls. We could have none better.

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