Read 1 PETER 3:13–22
King Pyrrhus of Epirus defeated the Roman army at Heraclea in 280 B.C., but sustained heavy casualties among his own troops. After a second victory over Rome a year later, Pyrrhus reportedly said, “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.” The term Pyrrhic victory means a win so costly that it actually leads to demise.
Throughout this letter Peter has reminded his readers that Jesus is our example. He was chosen before the creation of the world to make it possible for us to be chosen by God (1:2, 20).
He is the cornerstone, and we are the living stones in God’s spiritual house (2:4–6). He suffered injustice without retaliation, and we can also respond with gentleness and humility (2:21–23). Now Peter encourages his readers with the example of Jesus’ ultimate victory (v. 22).
Jesus’ victory is the opposite of Pyrrhus. Jesus appeared to suffer the worst kind of defeat—a humiliating death while being taunted by His enemies (v. 18). But this defeat in fact led to His glorious victory, because He was obedient to the will of the Father who resurrected Him and vanquished the power of death
and sin (vv. 17, 21). Now Jesus reigns in heaven “with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (v. 22).
This is more than a nice theological statement—it should affect how we live. We can endure suffering and even what looks like defeat because we know Jesus has been victorious. We can be free from fear of attacks from the world because we know that Jesus is our Savior. We can respond to others with “gentleness and respect” because we know that we, and all of creation, are ultimately subject to Jesus our Lord (v. 15).
APPLY THE WORD
Do the people around you see the hope that you have in Christ? Do your gentle responses to criticism surprise them? When our lives follow the example of Jesus, we then might have an opening to share with others the wonderful truth of the gospel. Sometimes our most profound witnessing opportunities happen as a result of our response to difficulties.
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 