“For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, 
leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, 
He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 
and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; 
while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself 
to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself brought our sins 
in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin 
and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed”. 
~~1 Peter 2:21-24~~

I don’t know a person alive who has not at some point in their life struggled with purpose.  This passage spells out our purpose so clearly!  “For you have been called for this purpose…that you would FOLLOW IN CHRIST’ STEPS.”  So what footsteps might that be?  I’m glad you asked.  Haha

Christ suffered.  He endured so much during the last few days of His life here on earth.  He suffered for me.  He suffered for you.  Jesus was not suffering from the consequences of anything HE did, but instead He chose to suffer the consequences of our sin.  The choice to suffer in our place was sacrificial.  It was FOR US.  

Christ had committed no sin.  What was happening to Him had no justification.  He lived His life here on earth without ever committing even one sin.  Perfection laid down His life for imperfection.  While I am in this human body, I will not be able to live in sinless perfection like Jesus, but that is what I am to strive for.  As I grow in Christ, I won’t be sinless, but I can certainly sin less as I grow to be more like Jesus.

Christ was not deceitful.  Jesus was never duplicitous or deceitful.  He didn’t spin His words to get out of the predicament He was in.  He was perfectly clear in His mission – He had come to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  Jesus was clear in His purpose, and so should I be.  This passage tells us what our purpose is – “follow in Jesus’ footsteps”.  <Epakoloutheō> is the Greek word for “follow” and it means to imitate His example.  What’s coming to mind is Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”.  

Christ didn’t insult people.  While being abusively insulted, He didn’t insult in return.  I don’t know about you, but it is so hard, when being insulted, to keep my mouth shut.  The saying goes, “hurting people hurt people”; but that wasn’t true of Christ.  He was being hurt and didn’t hurt in return.  He was able to remain quiet in the face of insults.  What comes to mind is James 1:19, “be slow to speak”.  When we are slow to speak, it allows us the time necessary to handle the emotion of the moment, enabling us to respond instead of react.  

Christ didn’t threaten people.  He was suffering so much, both physically and emotionally and relationally.  Jesus was God in the flesh, having all power and all authority.  With one word, one thought passing from Him to His Father, He could have ended that situation right then and there.  But He didn’t.  How in the world was He able to do that?!!  The answer is found in the next phrase.  

Christ kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. Jesus was modeling for us the fact that God is Sovereign.  He is in control.  He is the only righteous Judge.  God saw what was taking place as Jesus faced, was questioned by, and abused by His accusers.  Knowing that allowed Jesus to trust God to handle it.  It’s important to note that “kept entrusting” wasn’t a one-and-done action.  With every word His accusers said, Jesus entrusted Himself to God.  With every blow He took from a fist or a whip, He entrusted Himself to God.  Not one time did Christ allow His human thoughts and emotions to steal His focus.  He was on a mission.  He had a purpose – to pay the price for the sins of the world.  

PAUSE TO PONDER.  Christ is our example.  Our purpose is to live our lives like Jesus lived His.  I think of the times throughout Jesus’ days on earth that He took time to be alone with the Father.  Perhaps the reason I struggle in my interactions and responses to people is because I am not choosing to spend enough time with God throughout my day.  This passage was a little pinchy to my soul.  I need to focus on my purpose – to follow the example of Jesus.  And I need to KEEP ON entrustING my life into God’s care.  

No matter what is happening in and around you, keep entrusting!!!