Peter is talking about a new kind of church.
Instead of the brick and mortar traditional sanctuary, he proposes that the people are a “living breathing building” in which Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. The Jews had a high regard for the temple (built the second time by Zerubbabel and enlarged by Herod). This epistle was written very near the end of the second temple period. The temple was destroyed in 69 AD by Caesar and it remains in that state today. (except for the Dome of the Rock and the other building done when the Muslims had control of the area).
Peter is reminding the church that it isn’t the building that makes us Christians, it’s our behavior. And, our behavior will not change in the radical way that he proposes unless we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and is our pathway into heaven. Without that belief we will not be able to muster the desire to truly change.
So what changes does he propose? Well, some of them are predicable…don’t be deceitful, jealous or mean, etc. But then he “takes it up a notch” and starts talking about obeying authorities…even when they are cruel.
This is the kind of submission to Christ that cannot be accomplished by un-genuine faith. “If you suffer for doing good, and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you”. That’s a radical, contemporary thought for today. Our leaders are often less than honest and ethical, and their deceit creates suffering for those under them. We are called to endure it patiently. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t vote when we have the chance. By all means, strive to make a difference!
But as they are duly elected, or appointed to be in charge we should obey.
Why not resist? Why not try and make this a better place for everyone? Perhaps because Jesus knew that there would always be another evil person right behind the one currently in charge, ready to take the helm and oppress the people. Perhaps it’s because Jesus (as Peter points out) doesn’t consider this our home anyway. We are citizens of a different place, and after we have enduring this foolishness for a brief time, we will be going there to enjoy an eternity of reward.
I have spent a short amount of time in difficult living conditions both on missions trips and in the military. In both cases I was encouraged by the knowledge that it wasn’t permanent. I knew that in a short time I would be back in my comfortable home. In fact, that knowledge allowed me to be more engaging and helpful…I wasn’t trying to make my lot better, I was fully engaged in the real reason I was there.
I wonder, could the same be true for us as Christians? Perhaps we should be “feathering the nest” less, and spending more time in relationship with those who desperately need to meet Jesus.
Thinking aloud,
PR