Jesus Bore the Sins of His People

          "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,
     that you should follow in his steps.  He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in
     his mouth."
          "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate;  when he suffered, he
     made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
          "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins, and
     live for righteousness;  by his wounds you have been healed."
          "For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd
     and Overseer of your souls."  1 Peter 2:21-25

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          1 Peter is written to "God's elect, ... who have been chosen according to the fore-
     knowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience
     to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood."  1 Peter 1:1-2a

          One emphasis of the letter is God's saving grace through Christ's death on the
     cross for his people.

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          "To this you were called" - "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those
     whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
     Romans 8:30

          "Because Christ suffered for you" - "But he was wounded for transgressions;  he was
     crushed for our iniquities."  Isaiah 53:5a

          "Leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" - (Jesus said), "For I
     have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."  John 13:15

          "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" - "Although he had done
     no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth." Isaiah 53:9b

          "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate;  when he suffered, he made
     no threats" - "And the high priest stood up and said, 'Have you no answer to make?  What
     is it that these man testify against you?'  But Jesus remained silent."  Matthew 26:62-63a

          "Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." - "Jesus answered him, 'You
     would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above." 
     John 19:11a

          "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live
     for righteousness" - "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for
     the forgiveness of sins."  Matthew 26:28

          "By his wounds you have been healed" - "Upon him was the chastisement that brought
     us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."  Isaiah 53:5b

          "For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and
     Overseer of your souls" - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
     I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one can snatch them out of
     my hand." John 10:27-28


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          God's people were chosen by him for salvation, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and re-
     deemed by the blood of Jesus, who set an example for his people to live holy lives.