Looking To The Cross | Day 37 | 1 Peter 2:21-25

Every parent and educator will tell you that the most effective lessons that occur between a teacher and student are usually “caught”, not “taught”.

That is the power of example. We learn by seeing how others respond, act and behave.

For the believer, our Great Example was Christ, and His greatest lesson was given on the Cross. In his final agony, He did not return the evil He received with evil in response. He did not threaten or curse those who caused Him untold humiliation and pain. He refused to rant about the injustice He was enduring for the ungrateful mob who hurled insults and hatred His direction.

Instead, He submitted to this process knowing that His Heavenly Father was a Righteous Judge who be satisfied in His death and would extend forgiveness and reconciliation to those who would believe. What a great example!

In a world that still writhes under the curse of sin and condemnation, the Believer has a model to follow in Christ that calls us to refuse our natural inclinations to “get even” or to respond in kind.

Through faithfulness, peace, gentleness, forgiveness, love, patience, humility and kindness, we present a different path – one that leads up a hill called Calvary, pauses at a Cross that paid the penalty for our sins and that invites us into the very presence of our Creator.

There is no need for anger or bitterness or retribution or vengeance. Christ showed us how to response at Calvary when He declared, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” You and I are called to look beyond the brokenness of this world and our temporary journey and to see the hope and promise of Eternal Life with God because of what Christ completed on the Cross.