As 2017 begins, we couldn’t be in a better spot in 1 Peter than this passage. What better way to begin the New Year than with a reminder of what Christ sacrificed on my behalf?

You can see this reminder for yourself in 1 Peter 2:21-22.

Peter makes a very clear statement here, completing his thoughts from the previous passage, where he addresses slaves, and encourages them to be submissive. Because of their status as slaves, they will probably face unjust suffering. But Peter encourages them with the ultimate example, that Christ suffered unjustly as well, and for their sake.

But, as with much of Peter’s writings, it carries weight far beyond just this immediate context, and gives us a principle to hold on to also.

Peter pulls no punches here. His though begins with “To this you were called…” Two words stand out in this phrase. First is the word “called.” Peter has spent some significant time in this letter speaking about the Christian’s calling, and about the One who does the calling. What he is stating here is that this is not just something we happened to stumble upon. We have been specifically called, and the goal of the calling is holiness, according to 1:15.

The second word that stands out is the word “this.” To this we have been called. To what? To suffering. We are called to patiently endure it when we face unjust suffering. My first thought is why? Why not just avoid it? Because this carries me closer to the goal of becoming like Christ. It creates holiness within me.

Christ suffered for me. He did so, taking my sins so I wouldn’t have to face the eternal consequences of them. But that isn’t what Peter is getting at here. He says that Christ suffered in order to be an example to me. He was willing to suffer for me. I should be willing to suffer for him.

Peter finishes this thought with a quote from Isaiah 53:9. Christ did not suffer for something he did wrong. He suffered for no reason at all, other than for doing good.

We are called to the same standard. Our lives should draw attention, not because we have put ourselves on display, but because we have put Christ in display for the world to see. And because the world hates him, we will suffer unjustly. But in so doing, we actually point the way more clearly towards him, and he is glorified in the process.

Question: How often do you remind yourself that you were “called” to this, just as Christ was called to suffer unjustly? You can leave a comment by clicking here.