During the great Reformation in Europe, Luther and Zwingli found themselves at odds over the movements they led.
Early one morning, Zwingli walked out onto the mountains of Switzerland and was confronted by a soul-stirring sight. He saw two goats making their way along a narrow mountain path. One was ascending the trail, the other was descending. He also saw a spot where they would meet, incredibly narrow, with room for only one goat. He watched as they both approached the narrow passage.
The animals rounded a turn in the path, bringing them face to face. They backed up as though ready to charge, and then the most amazing thing happened. The goat on the trail below lay down in the path while the goat above him walked over his back. The first animal then arose and continued his ascent.
To Zwingli, this meant that the way up is the way down. Christ humbled himself so men could walk over Him in the Kingdom of Heaven, knowing He would be exalted afterward.
This seems to reveal much to us about I Peter 2. Some see submission as a doormat and really chafe at the idea. In reality, if we follow God’s ways, it allows us to be doorways of blessing.
- Submission is pleasing (I Peter 2:20-21)
- God sees it as a “gracious action”
- Go has called us to this kind of living
- Submission is Christ’s pattern (I Peter 2:21)
- Christ taught us submission by example
- “Example” means a pattern intended to be overlaid with the purpose of copying
- We live the pattern of imitation
- Christ taught us submission by example
- Submission is powerful (I Peter 2:24-25)
- Jesus submission shows us what is possible
- Our responsibility is to allow the power to work
Follow in His steps
We must get beyond admiring Christ’s example and move to imitation. When we let the Lord use us for His purpose and glory, we are not doormats; we are doorways of blessing to others.
