Peter Takes Us to the Cross

Commentary

 
Peter was an eye witness of the Lord’s death, but he used the words of Scripture to describe the Lord’s suffering. Verses from the passage today and yesterday are full quotations from Isaiah 53 which tell how Jesus, who without sin accepted insults and suffering without any complaining, that our sins might be forgiven. Jesus certainly proved that a person can be in the will of God and still suffer unjustly. He died as the sinner’s substitute carrying the burden of our sins (v. 24).
There are some today who claim that Christians will not suffer if they are in the will of God. We need to be  careful that we don’t accommodate such a teaching and let people know that if we follow the Lord we can expect persecution. How we respond to this persecution is very important. It is  not Jesus the example or teacher that saves us, but Jesus the (sinless) spotless Lamb of God who takes the sins of the world away (I John 1:29).
We are all like sheep that have gone astray from the place of safety and not able to help ourselves (v. 25). The good shepherd, our Savior, has searched out the lost sheep and died for the sheep. Now when we repent of our sins and return to the fold we are safely in His care. The Shepherd in heaven is watching over us so we have nothing to fear. We can submit to Him and know that He will work out everything together for our good and His glory.

Application

 
Thank the Lord for taking my place on the cross and for receiving me when I go to be with Him.