Verse for the Week

1 Peter 2:20–21 (NIV) ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

I’m unashamedly borrowing this teaching from Dr. Joel Williams, professor of NT Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. I hope he feels honored.

Growing up, I learned cursive through tracing worksheets. They had the letters printed lightly in dots, and you’d trace over each one without lifting your pencil. That last part was the hard part. Then they did entire words we had to trace without lifting your pencil.

In ancient times, children learned Greek writing the same way. They called those worksheets “underletter.” That Greek word appears only once in the New Testament, here in 1 Peter 2:21, translated as example in the NIV. The life Jesus lived is our tracing worksheet.

In context, Peter is talking about unjust suffering. The underletter of the life of Jesus is tough to trace. Jesus didn’t threaten those who threatened Him. He didn’t counter sin with sin. He prayed for those who crucified Him, gave His life for sinners, and trusted Himself fully into the Father’s hands.

Tracing our lives over His isn’t easy; but it is our calling. He gave us the example, and He gives us the Spirit to follow it.

By God’s grace, we can be transformed into His likeness. What a staggering, beautiful truth!

Be encouraged. Keep tracing. And don’t lift that pencil.

Dan