Have you ever been falsely accused? Mocked? Made to suffer for something you didn’t do? If so, you’re in good company. Peter writes to Christians who were being persecuted — thrown out of their homes, executed, treated as outsiders. And his message to them is deeply countercultural: follow in the steps of Christ. Not by earning your salvation, but by learning how to live from the One who died.
The Example Behind the Atonement
First Peter 2:21–24 is rich with theology. Verse 24 tells us Christ “died so that we might live to righteousness” — substitutionary atonement, the great exchange. But Peter adds something we might overlook: Christ also left us an example (Greek: hupogrammos — a tracing guide, like laying thin paper over bold letters and copying them). Jesus shows us how to live by how He died.
“For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you would follow in His steps.”
— 1 Peter 2:21
How can we follow in the steps of a death we didn’t die? Peter points to Christ’s words on the cross. In the worst moments of human history — falsely accused, brutally executed — Jesus said things that show us exactly how to live.
Lesson One: A Forgiving Heart
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
— Luke 23:34
The soldiers are gambling for His clothing. The crowd is mocking. “He saved others; let Him save Himself.” And Jesus prays for His forgiveness. Not because they deserved it — they didn’t. Not even to reconcile the relationship. He prays for their forgiveness because their relationship with God matters more than His right to hold a grudge.
Stephen learned this lesson. As people stoned him to death, he cried out: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60). He didn’t pray for relief from suffering. He prayed for the salvation of his killers.
This is selfless forgiveness. It requires a heart that is more concerned with God’s justice than with getting even.
Lesson Two: Stay on Mission
“Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
— Luke 23:43
Jesus is hours from death. He’s been beaten, mocked, and is enduring the most horrific execution the ancient world could devise. Yet a criminal dying next to Him says, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus shares the gospel. “Today — right now — you’ll be with Me in paradise.”
Jesus didn’t lose His evangelistic focus. He kept the mission central even when He had every human right to feel sorry for Himself. When we suffer, it’s easy to become inward-focused — consumed with our own pain. But people still need Jesus. And one of the most powerful witnesses we have is a believer who suffers well and still shares the good news.
Lesson Three: Selfless Love
“Woman, behold your son… Behold, your mother.”
— John 19:26–27
Jesus looks at His mother Mary and the disciple John standing nearby. In His most agonizing moment — beaten within an inch of His life, nailed to a cross — He doesn’t think about Himself. He thinks about them. He commits John to care for Mary, and Mary to John. He gave His mother a new son and John a new mother.
Mary was feeling the weight of Simeon’s prophecy: “A sword will pierce your heart.” Her perfect Son was dying a gruesome death. Yet Jesus, even in that moment, lifted His eyes to others’ needs.
Do we have that kind of others-centered love? Even when it hurts to just breathe? The world will know that we love Jesus when they see us care for others more than we care for ourselves.
So What?
Peter’s invitation is clear: Christ suffered for you, leaving an example. Follow in His steps.
- When people sin against you, forgive — not because they deserve it, but because their soul matters more than your offense.
- When you suffer, stay on mission — don’t let pain make you inward; people still need the gospel.
- When you are hurting, love others selflessly — look for someone to care for, someone to comfort, even when you yourself need comfort.
Christ died so that we might live to righteousness. And He died showing us exactly what that kind of life looks like. Let us, then, remember how He died — so we can remember how to live.