Life is Not Always Fair

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 1 Peter 2:23-25 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 cross, 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.

 As Peter teaches Christians in Asia Minor to persevere through suffering, he uses Jesus as an example. The context is he is teaching the believers to submit to the human authorities.  They should submit to the governor and also to the emperor.  Slaves should submit to their masters, not only to those who are just but also to those who are unjust.  He reasons it is one thing to be punished for doing bad things, but quite another to suffer for doing good.  

 This follows the example of Jesus who though he was treated in unjustly, did not retaliate.  Though he was mocked, beated, scourged and was eventually crucificied, he entrusted himself to God's ultimate justice.  The ultimate act of suffering was that Jesus died for our sins.  Though Jesus was completely sinless he bore our sins in his body on the cross.  This was one of the many prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. In Isaiah 53:5 the prophet said,

 "But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,    and by his wounds we are healed."

 We know that the world is not always fair.  Those who are guilty go free, and those who are innocent get punished.  But God shows us His mercy that while were yet sinners Jesus died for us.  So when we suffer we know Jesus knows what we are going through.  We will most likely not die for something we did not do.  Jesus did.  Christianity is the only religion where God took on human flesh and suffered and died.  But Jesus rose again, conquering the power of sin and death forever.  Jesus' suffering on the cross brought us eternal life.  Though we would never wish suffering on anyone, through suffering we draw near to God and our faith becomes purified.  This teaching is as applicable to us as the first century Christians.  

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