“… when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)
Peter invites us into one of the most profound movements of the cross: the shift from threatening to entrusting. The word “entrusting” means to hand over. It’s the same word used to describe Judas handing Jesus over to be crucified. Carried along by the Spirit, Peter is drawing out a powerful paradox for us. What Judas did in betrayal, Jesus chose to do in trust. Others handed Jesus over in violence; Jesus handed himself over in surrender.
And friends, this is the way of the cross. In his final hours, Jesus stood before Caiaphas, he was falsely accused, and remained silent (Matthew 26:62-63). Before the Sanhedrin, lies swirled around him, and he refused to retaliate (Mark 14:57-61). Before Pilate, accusations were hurled, and he offered no defense (Matthew 27:12-14). Before Herod, he is mocked, and he won’t perform (Luke 23:8-9). Before the crowd, as they shouted, “Crucify him,” he didn’t threaten (Matthew 27:22-23). And on the cross, with nails in his hands, he prays, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
No threats. No scrambling. No control. Instead, and by way of contrast, “himself to him who judges justly.” There is only trust.
The world tells us: Protect yourself. Defend your name. Take control. But Jesus shows us another way: Entrust yourself to God.
Entrusting yourself to God means actively placing your life into his hands and refusing to take it back. It’s releasing your need to be the judge, to settle the score, or to control the outcome. It’s trusting that God sees what others don’t, knows what others misunderstand, and will judge justly in his time. In his time… that might be the hardest part.
I want to be clear: This is not passive resignation; it’s active faith. It’s choosing silence when you could defend yourself. It’s absorbing a misunderstanding without retaliation. It’s surrendering your reputation when it’s misrepresented. It’s obeying God without guarantees. Entrusting says, “God, I trust you more than I trust my ability to fix this.”
So, today, where are you tempted to threaten instead of entrust? Where are you grasping for control, trying to manage the outcome, or defending your name? What would it look like to follow the way of Jesus and release your need to control by placing your life back into the Father’s hands?
Ryan Paulson
Lead Pastor