How Peter answers the fundamental question we are all always asking

Why?

“We have the knife with your fingerprints. We have three eyewitnesses who swear they saw you commit the crime. We have your own letter confessing. We know you did it. But what we want to know is why did you do it?” 

So runs the interrogation of the prisoner in every boilerplate crime drama. But the formula works because humans desperately need to know the “why,” not just the “what.” The soundtrack of human life is largely a series of “why” questions: 

“Why is the sky blue? Why do dogs sound like that? Why am I so awkward? Why is she more popular than I am? Why is tuition so high? Why do people expect me to know what I am doing with my life? Why are gas prices so high? Why is my boss like that? Why does every part of my body hurt? Why don’t my kids call more often? Why? Why? Why?”

With the prevalence of the question in our lives, it should not surprise us to find it coming up when we’re looking at Peter’s instructions to the church in the second chapter of his first letter. He tells his readers to 

“Abstain from sinful desires.”

“Submit to every human authority.”

“Honor everyone.” 

“Love the brothers and sisters.”

“Submit to your masters.”

“Do what is good and suffer.” 

Our natural and human response to his instructions is likely a resounding, “Why!?” We don’t like abstinence, we don’t enjoy submission, and we certainly don’t want to suffer.

Why? Why are you telling us to do all this, Peter? 

You may think his answer simple, but its implications are profound: 

For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 

Why, Christian, should you do things that are hard and uncomfortable? Because Jesus did them, and His example compels you to do the same. 

That’s not how we typically think about the Christian life. We think about it in terms of traditions, doctrines, or habits. In our self-focused faith, we would expect Peter to answer the question of “why” with a statement of how it’s good for us, how we can inspire others, or some other omphaloskepsis drivel. 

But he doesn’t. Instead, he tells us that:

1. Obedience is in the job description (you were called to this).
2. Jesus showed you how (leaving you an example).
3. Do what He did (follow in His steps).  

That phrase from this verse inspired Charles Sheldon’s classic novel, In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? The book has sold over 50 million copies, spurred the launch of the 90’s pop culture phenomenon of W.W.J.D. bracelets, and provided the basis for a two-and-a-half-hour stage adaption that a group of my homeschooled friends and I wrote, directed, and staged to the immense viewing pleasure of a crowd of at least 15 of our family members who we cajoled into attending. I am under no illusions that what we produced was good theater, but twenty-plus years later, I am struck again by the power of this idea that compelled a bunch of teenagers to devote so many hours to such an ambitious project. 

Why should I refuse to do what my body wants, what my culture tells me is fine, and what doesn’t seem to hurt anyone else? Because of Jesus. 

Why should I respect the other party’s president and obey the piddling little rules my H.O.A. insists on changing every summer? Because of Jesus. 

Why should I love, serve, and greet my fellow church member who makes me want to turn and run when I see them coming down the hall towards me on Sunday? Because of Jesus. 

Why should I honor my skinflint boss instead of joining the lunchroom roast session? Because of Jesus. 

Why should I be willing to lose money, go to jail, or even die for doing the right thing? Because of Jesus. 

Christ-follower, you cannot live however you want. You are no longer a free agent, drifting with the winds of the world and the whims of your heart. You are a blood-bought, Spirit-filled ambassador of grace, and God means for you to walk the same way Jesus walked, for the same purpose that Jesus walked.

That’s why.