[Charles Henrickson]

1 Peter 2:19-25 (ESV)

This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

[Charles Henrickson]

[Just mythoughts]

But these warm and winning images become even more beautiful when we see them set in contrast to other very dark and dangerous ones. In Psalm 23, for example, those “green pastures” become all the greener because they stand in contrast to the “valley of the shadow of death.” In John 10, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd who comes to give us abundant life, over against the thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” These vivid contrasts make the warm gospel images all the more appealing and attractive.

I realize this Sermon is all fitted together, but there is an 'element' left out .... why is it that Peter says IIPeter 3:10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night;.......