Passion Week Devotion #4
Oak Valley Church Passion Week 2021 Passion Week Devotions Devotion 4 – April 1, 2021
April 1, 2021 – Thursday
Text – 1 Peter 2:18-25
Focal Text – 1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to
sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
You probably remember that the first part of our focal text was referred to in the final point of yesterday’s devotion. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.” We referenced this text in an effort to answer two important questions: What was nailed to the cross? And, who was nailed to the cross? This text answered both. Our sins were nailed to the cross. And, Christ was nailed to the cross. We saw how foundational these two things are to our salvation. Today’s larger text resounds that message.
So, our question today is how does this text help us consider Christ’s passion as it is displayed on the cross? Let’s see what our text says. Before we look at these things we should consider to whom Peter is writing. Peter is writing to Jewish believers who were dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. They were scattered because of the persecution that had taken place in Palestine. Specific to our immediate text Peter was addressing those who were dispersed and who were servants or slaves. And, it is clear that at least some of this group were being unjustly treated.
First, as we have seen, “He bore our sins in his body on the tree.” He bore our sins. He had no sins of his own. “He was tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). And, our text even states, “He committed no sin.” But he took on our sins, the weight of our sins, the legal ramification of our sin, which was death, more specifically the wrath of God. We cannot over stress the seriousness of what he did on our behalf.
Second, “He bore our sins in his body on the tree” for at least two very specific reasons, both of which are inextricably link. One reason is that we might be reconciled to God. We saw in
yesterday’s devotion that our sin separated us from God. We were spiritually dead. Peter stated it this way, “for Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18a). Another reason is stated in today’s text. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” So, he bore our sins on the cross that we might be reconciled to God and linked to that, “that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
Third, this leads us to revisit a previous thought from this week. The thought is: The cross takes care of our record of debt, the debt of our sin. And, the cross is before us as the ultimate
example of humility. But there is more. The cross, Christ’s suffering, his suffering at the hand of
the unjust is the example for us as we face unjust suffering. “For this is a gracious thing, when,
mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” Then we read the example of Christ. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” So the cross is for our past and for our present and future.
Fourth, this text helps us see that we have a clear call to unjust suffering. “For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you…” As we consider the passion of Christ we must remember that He suffered unjustly that we (those who believe) might be justified. And, his death on the cross provided that justification because it set aside the penalty because he bore it. It canceled the record of debt. It brought our forgiveness. His whole life was for this
purpose. But the last week was a step by step approach to the cross. What does that have to do with our being called to suffer unjustly? Our suffering unjustly (not because of our own sin) serves to reflect the grace of the cross and the grace of God in the transformation of the life of the sufferer. “For this is a gracious thing… this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”
Fifth, Christ’s suffering on the tree, unjustly, brings spiritual healing. “By his wounds you have been healed.” How do we know that the Holy Spirit is pointing us to spiritual healing? We know it because of the next statement. “For you were straying sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Because we were apart from God and have now been brought to Him. And, because we are reconciled to Him we now have a heart for righteousness, humility, service, and unjust suffering.
Don’t lose sight of the powerful work of Christ on the cross! We hope you will continue to reflect on Christ’s passionate display on the cross. It is no lite matter!
Prayer: Father, thank you for the grace to set our minds on You. Please grant us grace when we don’t that we may return to you. Thank you for the call in our lives to suffer unjustly. As we face the suffering grant the mind to remember Christ’s suffering and the desire to show your grace in us to those around us by our faithfulness to you. Amen.
Hymn: Beneath the Cross