The Fourth Sunday of Easter (NT)

1 Peter 2:13-25

¹³ Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

¹⁸ 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.

Be Subject, or submit, to all human institutions. This does not mean be Subject to every organization from the NAACP to PETA to the NRA. It does mean to be subject to every governmental organization, from city, township, county, state, or federal institution. You are to obey the law, to listen to them.

St Peter who was crucified upside down by the Roman Government, yet he still says Be subject to them. St Peter was imprisoned by the Sanhedrin and escaped with the help of an Angel, yet he still says be subject to them. St Peter stood up and said, we must obey God rather than men, but still would subordinate us to their authority.

St Peter will even recall Christ's personal suffering and death. "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." Christ died for the forgiveness of your sins. We disobey those in authority over us, which is a sin, but Christ has cleansed you of even these misdeeds.