Something more to chew on through out the week. - Take your time with it, ruminate, don't consume it all in one sitting.
Hey everyone, I just wanted to continue on with some of the conversation we got going in and around this weeks connection.
A couple of you had some good thoughts (the rest not so much), On questions around slaves, Why did Peter start with salves and Paul Husbands, one of the idea that wasn't shared in service was around that maybe Peter's relationship with Jesus was that much more experiential (because he walked him, had a rebuke and lesson on footwashing etc.) and so selfless service is his starting point and high mark.
There was also good questions about, when do we stand up rather than stand by especially for the oppressed? At what point to we speak and act out in light of injustice? I think we do see in Scripture some examples where there was the need to disobey the authorities. 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! Acts 5, people in exile - Daniel who continued to pray (Daniel 6), Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah - anyone? anyone? good Sunday School points if you know (Daniel 3). So the question is where is the line of nonconformity. I think Peter has a great closeing for his "submission to authority" that might help;
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Fear God, honor the emperor. (I ment to teach you the Hebrew saying for wisdom aka last point I missed on the Powerpoint - remind me this week to break into klingon again). As much as we can, we fear God and honor emperor. But when the when we can't fear God because we are too busy honouring the emperor, we have placed them in the wrong order. We probably don't need to go down to many paths we could on this subject, but I think the Anabaptists sometimes had a pretty good handle on this in there idea on pacifism as an "Active Pacifism." When it comes to nonconformity and pleading for justice they would get involved, just not in the quick and easy ways that was expected. They said, "we're aloud to die for our faith just not allowed to kill for it." I think Peter here, addresses Jesus' teaching on calling you to do something.. just not the something that is expected. "Turn the cheek, go the two miles, give your tunic as well, pray for those who persecute..." In all these cases "power" and dignity is returned to the persecuted or oppressed, which leads us to our conversation on slave and master.
As it relates to slave and master, by not addressing the need to "get rid" of this ungodly institution I dont think he is colluding with, or condoning it, again Peter is more concerned about the attitude we have in the situation, all situations, and how we live the Jesus life amidst all settings, more than try to tackle this massive systemic wickedness. Earlier, he doesn't talk about trying to "not be exiles" or "come out of that oppression..." no, he is shooting for the deeper lesson of what can be done, starting with them. NT Wright points out "he invites followers of Jesus to inhabit his extraordinary story; to embrace it as their own, and, being healed and rescued by those events, to make them the pattern of their lives as well." It's like relationship counselling "change starts with you". You cant control the one your with, but you can have control over your responses and by doing that, it may have an effect on the relationship as a whole. (sorry I just now gave away my one counselling advise feel free to cancel all appointments, no need to come). As Judy B. once said, "I cant pray for my enemies because as soon as I start regularly praying for them, I stop hating them and then they are not my enemy anymore." (how can we obey Jesus if we haven't got any more enemies!! please send me people I can hate!) We could probably hear Jesus' teachings on "enemy love" rolling around in Peters head as he makes reference to His example. His examples from Isaiah of Jesus' (messianic) role point to the fact that by starting with our attitude and response being aligned with Jesus' speaks volumes in Kingdom proclamation. Wright again, "He is urging them to realize that somehow, strangely, the suffering of the Messiah are not only the means by which we ourselves are rescued from our own sin. They are the means, when extended through the life of his people, by which the world itself may be brought to a new place." Peter stresses as a slave, be a slave to God and the best one possible, for the sake of the Kingdom.
Sweet or salty??
Where in your life have you gotten it in reverse and placed emperor over God? Or maybe a place where it was just easier to fit in or "get by" without following God. What was a time of comprise in your life? Is there oppression or injustice in your life right now that maybe you should approach differently? What would that look like? One more Sunday school exercise, totally (mostly) not related. Take a look at the NT and find all the places where the substitutionary atonement of Jesus (like mentioned by Peter here) is directly and specifically talked about - again, New Testament. (use the inter-web to make it easier, gold stickers for participation, right beside your attendance smiley face stickers.)
