Alive in Christ
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
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He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).
The life and death of Jesus offer an impossible example to follow. How could we ever hope to follow in his steps? He committed no sin. We can’t take a step without sinning.
And the world hated him for it. So did the religious leaders. They conspired together to have Jesus put to death. And how did he respond? ‘When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly’ (1 Peter 2:23).
This is an example of where we fail miserably. The first thing we can want to do when people speak evil of us is to shoot an insult right back at them. When we feel like we’re under attack, we can go into fight or flight mode.
Jesus suffered silently and willingly. He did not fight the injustice that was done to him. Instead, he looked to the one who judges justly – his Father in heaven.
We could certainly learn from this example, especially in a world that is not friendly to our faith. From the stories that occupy the mass media to our own social circles, hardly a day goes by without some insult to our faith. But rather than focus on the injustice of the world, we can look to the Father, whose justice swallows up all injustice.
But when we fail in following this example – as with every one of our failures – we know that Jesus’ patient endurance, suffering, and sinless life were all for us. ‘He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness’ (1 Peter 2:24).
‘By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have turned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls’ (1 Peter 2:25,26). The Son’s silent suffering is for our healing; his sinless life is for our salvation.
In my suffering, Lord, be my peace. In my weakness, be my power. And when the storms of life shall cease, O Jesus, in that final hour, be my rod, staff and guide. And draw me safely to your side! Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He served in parishes in Adelaide, Palmerston North and Marton (both in New Zealand) and Wagga Wagga (school and congregation) before being elected as bishop of the New South Wales District of the LCANZ. He and his wife Meredith have four children (two of which live in Canada) and two grandchildren. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and resting.
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