Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Pet. 2:13–17
Dear Lord Jesus, what but the gospel can explain the change in Peter’s life? The same disciple who nervously tried to protect you by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John 18:10–11); the same disciple who then fled into the night and denied you three times out of fear—this same disciple calls us to fear only God and to live as good citizens. As we move into an “election year,” this passage is of timely significance.
Instead of retreating into our holy huddles, Peter calls us to engage with our broken world, where godless kings, self-serving governors, and untrustworthy authorities seem to be winning the day. And to think, Nero was the emperor of Rome when he wrote these words. What but the gospel can explain Peter’s movement from fear and frenzy, to faith and freedom?
And who but you, Jesus, who reattached Malchus’s ear (Luke 22:51); who but you, who could’ve dispatched “more than twelve legions of angels” to rescue you (Matt. 26:53); who but you—the “ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5) can give us the courage we need to live to your glory by doing good in our cities?
Though your kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36), your kingdom has broken into this world and one day will utterly transform it. Because this is true, Jesus, please free us from naïve passivity, political triumphalism and arrogant cynicism. Very practically, show us what “obeying God and not men” looks like, when the claims of your kingdom clash with the values of this world. How do we submit to the authorities for your sake, as an act of worship and submission to you—our true King?
Lord Jesus, may we only suffer for doing good—not for being paranoid or obnoxious. May we be busy with your kingdom and not simply be busybodies (2 Thess. 3:11). By your grace and Spirit, keep changing us the way you changed Peter. We long for the day when the kingdom of this world will become your kingdom, and we will reign with you forever (Rev. 11:15). So very Amen we pray, in your most glorious and sovereign name.
