Scattered·Friday
Returned to the Shepherd
1 Peter 2:24-25
Today's reading: a short Bible passage, a reflection, a question to think about, and a prayer.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:24-25 · Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree." Peter's whole passage about honor and enduring rests on this. Jesus did not only show us how to suffer well. He carried our sins himself, so that we could be healed. Then Peter ends with a picture: once "like sheep going astray," but "now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
In the session, Ian Kirk said he kept coming back to verse 25. "We're always like sheep going astray," he said, "and we always get to return to the shepherd, the great shepherd." He added that whether in ministry or in life, "we are harder on ourselves than we should be," and that we need to give ourselves grace.
This week's passage asks a lot: good conduct, submission, high regard for everyone, and not retaliating. Most of us will fall short somewhere before the weekend. Verse 25 is the answer to that. Wandering does not end the story. The Shepherd is still there, still watching over your soul, and you are always welcome to come back to him.
Today, think back over this week. Where did you wander from what Peter described? Name it honestly to God. Then receive his welcome instead of beating yourself up. Jesus already bore that sin on the tree. Return to the Shepherd, thank him for carrying you, and start again with the grace he has already given you.
Apply
Where have you wandered this week, and what keeps you from returning to the Shepherd?
What stood out to you? Save a note in your HEAR Journal: https://thechurch.digital/journal/today/
Respond
Good Shepherd, I am like a sheep going astray, and you keep calling me back. Thank you for bearing my sins in your body. When I am too hard on myself, remind me of your grace, and lead me home to you again. Amen.
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Free. Four short steps on 1 Peter 2:24–25.
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This week's notes
This week's HEAR
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1 Peter 2:11–25
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