This sermon is really Part 3 of a series on submission or “being subject to” someone. And, for those of you with chapter subtitles in your Bible you can see that it has to do with husbands and wives. Here in Chapter 3, we are told to look back to the example set by Christ by:
Putting ourselves under submission to authorities as this is the will of God.
Looking to Jesus as our perfect example to follow/imitate.
Entrusting ourselves completely to Our Heavenly Father, just like Jesus did.
Peter is taking these principles and the example of Jesus, pushing them into the corners of all our relationships — particularly the most thorny ones. And, the thorniest of our relationships tend to be with the people we spend the most time together. It makes sense, as we consider that surely these people should know us and know our needs…but somehow they fail too in meeting all our expectations.