He Entrusted Himself
Christ Our Example of Trust — Devotion 11 of 12
1 Peter 2:21–23 — “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.”
Opening Reflection
Peter wrote these words to believers who were servants, some of them under masters who were harsh and unjust (1 Peter 2:18). They suffered for doing good, and they had no earthly power to set things right. Peter did not offer them a technique for coping. He pointed them to Jesus, who walked the hardest road anyone has ever walked and leaned on His Father the whole way.
Taking a Devotional View
Before Christ is our example, He is our Savior. Peter says that Christ “suffered for you,” and just after this he adds, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus leaned perfectly where we lean imperfectly, and He did it in our place. When He was mocked, He did not answer with insults. When He suffered, He did not threaten. Instead, He “continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” Even on the cross He prayed, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46). Every promise of the Father was safe in His keeping, and the resurrection proved that His trust was not misplaced.
Peter says Christ left us “an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” When we are wronged, we face a choice: to retaliate in anger or to entrust ourselves to God. Entrusting ourselves to Him does not mean that we must silently accept every injustice or refrain from seeking appropriate help or protection. It means refusing personal revenge, responding in a Christlike manner, and trusting God to accomplish His righteous purposes. Following Jesus means choosing not to repay evil for evil, and leaving justice in God’s hands (Romans 12:19). The word “continued” reminds us that entrusting ourselves to God is not a single moment but an ongoing posture of the heart. Peter later puts it this way: “let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19). That response speaks loudly to a watching world. When others see us answer injustice with trust and goodness, they catch a glimpse of the Savior whose steps we are following.
Key Thoughts & Takeaways
Key Thoughts
- Christ suffered for us and bore our sins in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2:21, 24).
- Jesus did not retaliate when reviled but continued entrusting Himself to the Father (1 Peter 2:23).
- Even on the cross, Jesus committed His spirit into the Father’s hands (Luke 23:46).
- We are called to follow in His steps by leaving justice in God’s hands (Romans 12:19).
- Those who suffer are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good (1 Peter 4:19).
Ask Yourself
- How do I usually respond when I am wronged or treated unfairly?
- Is there a situation where I need to let go of personal revenge or vindication and entrust it to God?
- How might my response to mistreatment point others to Jesus?
Lord Jesus, thank You for suffering in my place and bearing my sins in Your body on the cross. Thank You for trusting the Father perfectly when I could not. When I am wronged, help me not to answer with anger or threats, but to entrust myself to the One who judges justly. Teach me to keep doing good, to leave justice in Your hands, and to follow in Your steps, so that others may see You in how I respond. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next in the Series
Not One Word Has Failed — Jesus shows us what it looks like to entrust ourselves to the Father. In the final devotion, Joshua’s testimony will remind us why such trust is never misplaced: not one word of God’s promises has failed.