Tuesday
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
For “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
(I Peter 3:8-17, NIV)
As a leader in the First Century church, the Apostle Peter’s actions and teachings offer us helpful insights about the gospel of peace. His vision and subsequent journey to the house of Cornelius, as we noted in the last two readings, provide evidence of how Peter understands the message of Jesus in a very practical way. Peter now realizes the good news of the Kingdom of God is for all people and that God is not limiting his message to the Jews. This means that Peter had to violate the practice of his day which forbids association with non-Jews, which he does and for which he is repeatedly persecuted.
Peter gives us additional instruction about the meaning of peace in today’s verses. Peter’s first letter is written to Jewish and non-Jewish Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor and in it he encourages these young believers to live wholesome lives. After explaining that the God who calls them is “holy,” and therefore Christians should “be holy in all you do” (1:15), Peter describes what this means in terms of practical living. He pleads with his readers to “live in harmony.” He repeats Jesus’ teaching about non-retaliation and then quotes from Psalm 34 about turning from evil and doing good, seeking peace and pursuing it.
Peter’s instructions are not idealistic, utopian dreams, but practical counsel which he learned from Jesus. Peter is realistic when he warns that people will speak maliciously against Christians and that Christians will suffer for their faith. The gospel of peace is indeed free, but it is not cheap. Being a reconciler in a world of hate and conflict will not be easy, but Peter encourages his readers with these words: “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (v. 17)
Prayer
Holy God, in the life of Peter we see a disciple changed by Pentecost. The Apostle Peter preaches peace and lives it out in his own life. Teach us to live in harmony as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (2:9). Amen.