WEEK 4 // DAY 4

IN HIS STEPS

Peter brings us directly to Jesus. After speaking about unjust suffering, he does not offer a technique or slogan. He points to Christ Jesus, who suffered for you. Before he is your example, he is your Savior. He did not merely show you how to live; he gave himself to rescue you. Following Jesus in suffering is impossible if you only hear, “Try harder.” You need more than an example. You need the grace and life of the crucified and risen Lord.

Still, Peter says Jesus left an example so that you should follow in his steps. Jesus suffered unjustly and committed no sin. No deceit was found in his mouth. When people insulted him, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threats. Jesus had every right to expose, judge, and defeat his enemies, yet he refused to return evil for evil.

Jesus definitely wasn’t weak. Peter says Jesus “entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus placed himself and the injustice done to him into the hands of the Father. He did not pretend evil was harmless. He trusted that the Father sees clearly and judges rightly. Refusing retaliation is not saying wrong does not matter. It is saying God can be trusted with justice.

This could be one of the hardest places to trust and obey. When you are insulted, everything in you may want to insult back. When you are misrepresented, you may want to make sure everyone hears your side immediately. When you are wounded, revenge can feel like relief. But Jesus shows another way by entrusting himself to the Father and continuing in faithfulness.

Following in his steps may look very practical today. It may mean not sending the text. It may mean refusing to rehearse the story again in a way that keeps anger alive. It may mean telling the truth calmly instead of attacking. It may mean praying before responding. It may mean asking whether your next words sound like Jesus or like your wound.

Again, this is not a call to hide abuse or avoid accountability. Jesus’ way is full of truth. But his way is not controlled by retaliation, anger, or sin. Because you belong to Jesus, you do not have to become like the wrong done to you. The Shepherd of your soul can lead you in his steps, one faithful response at a time.