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.
The
Shepherd image seems to be a pretty good image. We even like to think of
Pastors as under-shepherds. But we should be reminded that emperors/
presidents/ kings / prime ministers are under-shepherds as well. They are given
to punish those who do evil, and praise those who do good. (Often times we lose
sight of the praise of the good, and even often complain that they are not
punishing enough.)
St Peter
picks up on another title for the Holy Trinity, or maybe he is just referencing
Jesus. The “Overseer
of your souls”
seems to sound a little off pace. But think about it, St Peter is on to
something when he talks about that. God is the “Overseer of your souls.” He is the one who has created
our souls. He is the one who strengthens our souls in the true faith. He is the
one who takes our souls to be with him in death, to await the resurrection.
We like
to think of ourselves as independent. We like to think of ourselves as free
from power and authority. People will even go so far to say they are in control
of their own life. It may be important to humble us, before the “Overseer of your souls.” The Holy Trinity is looking
after all the souls of creation. He desires them to be saved, but many are
rebelling against their Overseer, their King, their Emperor, and their Father.
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