Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
In the preceding verses, Peter told his readers to humble themselves under the “mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” Believers can cast all their anxieties on the Lord because God is always faithful, and those who follow him can entrust themselves to his care. God is in control, but that does not nullify human responsibility. We are reminded of this in today’s passage.
It was a particularly hot day in Dallas, and I was driving around the city looking for an apartment. I had just graduated from seminary, and my wife and I needed to move from the condo we had rented for four years. I had resumes scattered throughout the country but was getting no response, or rather I was getting the same response—“No.” Lori and I thought we would be looking for a place to live in a new city, but instead, we were staying in Dallas. It was a discouraging stretch of my journey.
Humility is the appropriate “attire” for the follower of Jesus. The lasting principle, quoted here by Peter, makes the case that God ”mocks proud mockers, but shows favor to the humble and oppressed” (Proverbs 3:34 NIV).
James and John sent their mother to request a favor from Jesus. She asked that when he established his kingdom, her two sons be given a special place of power and position. Once the other disciples learned of this query, they were “indignant.” Peter must have been particularly irritated. Along with James and John, he made up Jesus’ inner circle. But as always, Jesus turned the situation into an important teaching moment.
Tough times call for strong leadership. Many can lead well when things are going well—when business is thriving, everything is good at home, and the church is growing. But when the bottom falls out of the economy, family dynamics are challenging, and the church is filled with worriers instead of worshipers, real leaders step forward to inspire and set the course.
One by one, they died. James, the brother of John, was beheaded. Thomas was killed in India. Simon was crucified in Egypt. Mark, the first bishop of Alexandria, was burned and buried in Egypt as well. Bartholomew was beaten, crucified, and beheaded. Andrew, Peter’s brother, was crucified in Rome. Matthew was killed with a spear. Phillip was stoned and then hanged on a cross. James, the brother of Jesus, survived being thrown from the temple. Then he was beaten to death.