March 28, 2010 1 Peter 2:13-25

Peter is writing to the Christians scattered in modern-day Turkey - reminding them they are strangers and aliens in the culture (cross-reference with Phil 3:20 and our citizenship being in Heaven.)  He encourages them to live good lives so that the pagans may see their good deeds and glorify God.  Verses 13-17 give us principles on how we should live – make a list of them. Think of situations in your week where you may have responded poorly. How will you adjust your attitude? Why did God establish government authorities & what purpose do they serve? In what way are we, as Christians, free? How might Christians misuse that freedom?  Can you think of an example where freedom is used to cover-up evil?

To what extent is "submission" deemed as a virtue in society? What kinds of human institutions should we submit to? What benefits come from submitting to human authority? How does Christ serve as an example in the area of submission?

Many clear sufferings such as slavery or harsh treatment may seem far away from our lives in America. Have you ever been confronted with issues of slavery, oppression, beatings, human trafficking and how did you react?  How does Peter say we should?

“I imagine we are sitting in a room full of ugly beauty with people scarred by the tragedies of life. Often those scars come from the general conditions of life: disease and sickness, age and accidents. But the deepest scars come from hands of others - those close to us - parent, spouse, respected authority.”

“Some of you may understand what it means for you to stay in a lifeless or difficult marriage because God has not released you. The scars were for you. And for others of you that means you stay in a difficult work situation because there’s still good to do. The scars were for you.” Are there other things you might be dealing with? Do you have hidden scars, too deep to share? Do you have a friend that helps you shoulder them?

From Deeper Still provided by The International Bible Society, all rights reserved.

When you've walked through the valley of the shadow of death

When you thought the worst was over and the worst is what was left

Some things he can't explain now, but by and by he will

Look up through the pain now, you will find him Deeper Still

Deeper still you will find him, deeper still than before

Deeper still goes the anchor, deeper still the ocean floor

Deeper still he has taught you, deeper still there is to go

Deeper still is the Savior, deeper still than we know

We cannot always understand the why.

But we can lay hold of the Who. No matter what happens to us. No matter what the loss, God’s hand is still stretched out to us.

The God of the Bible is the God of the brokenhearted.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted. Isaiah 61:1

One of the meanings for the Hebrew word for bind in this passage is "to wrap around." Perhaps the only way to get through this grief is to let Christ wrap his pierced hands around your broken heart and allow him to share in your sufferings.

In a fallen world, we sometimes sink under the weight of human misery, ours and those around us.

Jesus, the broken Bread of Life, is revealed to broken people.