A Hope That Heals

1 Peter 2:13-25

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 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.

Video for this Service can be viewed @ April 17, 2022

Who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?...
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
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.
Isaiah 53:1,4-5

The trainer for our Red Cross Life Guarding class had one key concept that he was passionate about teaching us. “Our goal is to do everything possible to revive the person when they can’t do it themselves”, he articulated. He was determined to imbed into us ninth grade students the importance of resuscitating an unconscious person. I wonder how he must have felt to work with a bunch of sarcastic and unfocused teenagers who might have to put this into action someday? But somehow what he taught us sunk in. Little did I know that less than a month later we would have to put what he taught us to the test.

When Jesus looks at you, what do you think he sees?

Do you know that he specifically made you so he could pour out his mercy, his care, his presence, his love, and his hope into your life? This is what Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection is all about. He came to offer you a life with Him that will restore you. Isaiah reminded us of this truth…

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

Today we remember the price Jesus paid on the cross to make that a reality for us. This Sunday we celebrate the victory of an empty tomb that was displaced with life everlasting!

Grateful for you,
Pastor John

P.S. I’ll finish my story at our Easter Service at 9:45 am Sunday morning!