If I asked another why Jesus died, they would probably say, “So that all who come to Him might have forgiveness and eternal life.” That’s true, but it doesn’t get to the point of today’s verse from Peter. In this line, Peter stresses the instant change that happens. Paul does this too, in Romans 6:16–20. We can live by the Spirit now that sin has no power over us.
Baptism is also a picture of this. Immersion in water represents our death to sin. It shows a grave. Rising from the water means being raised with Jesus to a new life, a good life. The rite doesn’t save you, but it does show what has happened in your life. People who ask to be saved from punishment but don’t change their lives haven’t really been freed from sin. We’re not suddenly free from sin, but the purpose, direction, and wants of our lives have changed completely.
Peter says, “with his wounds we are healed,” from Isaiah 53:5, and he thinks it means that Jesus heals us from the bondage of sin. This verse may have been mentioned to you a lot of times in relation to healing the body. That may be true in some cases, but Peter is talking about healing our souls here.
Think about Consider the reason Jesus died for you. Are you living it? Do you know that God’s love for you is what made Jesus go to the cross to save you from the bad things that sin brings into your life? I hope it isn’t wasted!
1 Peter 2:24
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
