Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: " Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth." who, when He was reviled , did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2 v. 18-23

Mark recently became a Christian, he told his boss Alan what had happened to him. Alan just laughed, but you could tell he was embarrassed. Mark and the lads use to have a laugh and a joke with Alan. Now Mark's relationship with Alan had changed. Now Mark was given all the unpleasant jobs. When Mark presented his work to Alan it was very critically examined. Mark realised why Alan was being like this to him and thought to himself: "If they hated and despised Jesus, why should I expect anything different.

Peter, now an older and wiser man, writes this epistle about AD 64 just before Nero started to persecute the Church and Tradition tell's us put Peter to death. Peter remembers, how Jesus, had taken the role of a servant and washed his feet, thereby showing by example that serving others before yourself his God's way.

Peter now tell's servants to be submissive to your masters and encourages us by bringing to our mind some truths about Jesus. Let us take time to ponder these things:

The world's way: "Be strong, make sure no one pushes you around and if you need to push someone out of the way then do it. "

God's way: " Be gentle to your brother, show love for hate, for insults speak words of kindness. Love your enemy."

God's way turns the world's values upside down, but God knows best after all he made us.

J. O. Y., J. O. Y., Surely that must mean, Jesus First, Yourself Last and Other's in between