1 Peter 2:21-25 (NLT)
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

In these verses the apostle Peter says Christ is an example we should follow. He suffered for us; therefore we should be willing to do good for others, even if it means suffering to do so. Christ was not a sinner, a deceiver, a retaliator, insulter, or one who took revenge. He left matters in God’s hands to resolve. Christ is an example we should follow. He suffered for our sakes and because of Him we can be dead to sin and live to what God desires. We were once lost sheep, but now Christ our Shepherd watches over us and guards our souls.

This passage is taken from “God is Closer than You Think”, by John Ortberg, Zondervan 2005: “Father Damien was a priest who became famous for his willingness to serve lepers. He moved to Kalawao—a village on the island of Molokai, in Hawaii, that had been quarantined to serve as a leper colony. For 16 years, he lived in their midst. He learned to speak their language. He bandaged their wounds, embraced the bodies no one else would touch, preached to hearts that would otherwise have been left alone. He organized schools, bands, and choirs. He built homes so that the lepers could have shelter. He built 2,000 coffins by hand so that, when they died, they could be buried with dignity. Slowly, it was said, Kalawao became a place to live rather than a place to die, for Father Damien offered hope. Father Damien was not careful about keeping his distance. He did nothing to separate himself from his people. He dipped his fingers in the poi bowl along with the patients. He shared his pipe. He did not always wash his hands after bandaging open sores. He got close. For this, the people loved him. Then one day he stood up and began his sermon with two words: "We lepers…."Now he wasn't just helping them. Now he was one of them. From this day forward, he wasn't just on their island; he was in their skin. First he had chosen to live as they lived; now he would die as they died. Now they were in it together. One day God came to Earth and began his message: "We lepers…." Now he wasn't just helping us. Now he was one of us. Now he was in our skin. Now we were in it together.” Praise our Lord Jesus for living as one of us, understanding our sorrows and pains. Praise Him for the care He has given us, and the love He has demonstrated. May we always give thanks to God for His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.