From 2008-2011, Capri Sun ran an ad campaign called, “Respect the Pouch.” The commercials were actually quite entertaining. One commercial featured two boys outside enjoying some Capri Sun. Upon finishing his drink, one of the lads blows air into his pouch, inflating it like a balloon. He glances mischievously over at his friend as he places the inflated pouch on the ground, then begins pumping his foot up and down over it, indicating his malevolent intent. His friend returns a somber look, gently shaking his head as if to say, “Nay, dear friend! Thou dost err most egregiously!” (The scenery, music, and attire of the boys give off Shakespearean English vibes.) The original lad, of course, pays no heed to the warning and pops the pouch and is immediately and aggressively shot into the ether. A voice then says, “Respect the pouch! Respect it.”
This commercial achieved two things. First, it captured the attention of their intended audience. Between begging us to get him some Capri Sun, our son, who was somewhere around 3 or 4 at the time, ran around our house yelling, “‘Spect the pouch! ‘Spect it!” It was both adorable and obnoxious. Second, it presented an extremely accurate picture of the modern conception of how respect works. These commercials taught that when respect is given, respect is reciprocated; when respect is denied, retribution is distributed. As is often the case, the Bible provides a very different picture.
It is the difference in our attitudes and actions that will make the greatest impact in the world for Christ.
The book of 1 Peter is all about the counter-cultural nature of the Christian life. From the outset, Peter refers to followers of Christ as elect exiles, chosen outcasts. It’s a theme he comes back to early and often as he fleshes out how to go about living lives that are decidedly different from the dominant culture. In fact, Peter suggests that it is the difference in our attitudes and actions that will make the greatest impact in the world for Christ. One way Peter submits that we can make a difference is found in how we submit to others.
The word translated submit in the NIV is the Greek word hupotassō. If we break it down to its basic parts, the word means under (hupo) to arrange or order. Many New Testament scholars believe Peter is presenting a sort of code of conduct for the family of God. As the wording and subsequent content suggests, Peter is calling God’s people to approach others with humility and respect. He provides 3 different areas where we need to humbly arrange our attitudes and actions: in the civic square, in our occupations, and in our homes. We are to submit to human authorities (ie. the government), to our masters (our employers), and to husbands or wives.
As Christians, the respect we show should not be based on reciprocity, meaning whether or not they respect us. The Roman government and the Jewish religious leaders were at best indifferent to Christians and at worst persecuted them, and still Peter calls for respect. Respect for masters (these slaves were household or what we might call indentured servants, not slaves that were permanently owned) was demanded to both those who were “good and considerate” and also for those who were “harsh.” Wives were to respect their husbands and live honorable lives as a powerful means of evangelism and husbands were called to be “considerate” to their wives “in the same way.”
Based on the example of Jesus, respect is NOT earned, it is freely and humbly offered to ALL. Respect is not based on reciprocity, but on reverence for the Lord.
Jesus serves as the ultimate example of this counter-cultural way of relating to others. 1 Peter 2:21 reads, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.” If ever there was someone who could withhold respect to another human, it was Jesus Christ. If ever there was someone who could have offered an airtight argument of what He was owed, it was Jesus. If ever there was someone who was disrespected and mistreated, it was Jesus. And yet, Jesus chose not to stoop to our expectations and instead humbly bowed down to serve ALL of humanity by quietly bearing the consequence of our sins and welcoming us into His family by grace through faith.
Based on the example of Jesus, respect is NOT earned, it is freely and humbly offered to ALL. Respect is not based on reciprocity, but on reverence for the Lord. This side of eternity, our political leaders will always be tainted by sin, but we still owe them respect, and in as much as it is in line with the will and word of God, obedience. Your boss may be a jerk and may fail to treat you with the kindness you deserve. You have the right to graciously resign and seek employment elsewhere, but you still owe them respect and, following the example of Jesus, sacrificial service. And, mutual respect and sacrificial love should be the defining feature of the Christian home.
Based on the encouragement of Peter, we might paraphrase the Capri Sun commercial in this way: “Respect everyone! Respect them!” The lives we live are the greatest and most convincing evidence of the power and presence of God. May we boldly live counter-cultural and counter-intuitive lives and trust God with the outcome.
