Easter 4 (4)

1 Peter 2:19–25 NIV84

19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The Bible tells us the story of a man named Naboth. He had a vineyard near the king’s palace in Israel (Jerusalem or Samaria). We aren’t told if his vineyard produced award winning wine, if Naboth was a great businessman, or if he was well respected in his community. We are told that he ran into trouble with the king. Why? What was it he had done to draw the attention and later the ire of the most powerful man in the kingdom? Well, nothing. His problem was that of location, location, location. You see, his vineyard was located near the palace and King Ahab decided that this would be the perfect location for a vegetable garden. So King Ahab approach Naboth with an offer he shouldn’t refuse. The King would give him good money for his vineyard and Naboth would have the financial resources to plant or purchase a vineyard somewhere else.

This story is not unique. Historically land owners have been offered money for land in the right of way of highways, railroads, new developments. My wife and I are watching a series called Justified and people in Kentucky on the show are being offered money for their land so that the new owner can use that land to grow marijuana which was on the verge of becoming legal in Kentucky. How do people respond when they are offered money for their land?

Take the money and the new opportunity.

Politely refuse and perhaps reconsider later.

Ask for more.

Refuse on principle.

The problem happens when the person or organization that is seeking to acquire the land is determined to get it at all costs. They may resort to intimidation, violence, legal action, or even death to get what they want. The result is that the victim suffers through no fault of his or her own.

And this injustice against innocent people is not limited to grabbing land. An evil person may lash out due to spite, jealousy, greed, a faulty sense of self-worth, faulty beliefs etc. Perhaps the most infamous and publicized example in recent history (but not the only one) is what the Nazi government did against the Jews in Europe in the 1930’s and 1940’s. We probably all have heard about the six million Jews that were eliminated during the Holocaust. How familiar are you with the individual stories and anecdotes of those who were victims of unjust suffering even though they had done nothing wrong?

Well, the victims of the Holocaust were not the first Jewish people to suffer unjustly because they were conscious of God. Naboth was one of just many mentioned in the Bible.

How did he respond when King Ahab made him the offer? He refused because he was conscious of God. He cited a legal stipulation about land ownership. 1 Kings 21:1–3 (NIV84)

1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” 3 But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

He was doing the right thing by not selling out. King Ahab sulked like a little child who didn’t get the toy he wanted, his wicked wife Queen Jezebel stepped in and orchestrated a plan by which Naboth was falsely accused, convicted, and put to death opening up the way to acquire the vineyard for her husband. 1 Kings 21:7–16 (NIV84)

7 Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” 11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.” 15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.

Nor would Naboth be the last to suffer unjustly because he was conscious of God. In our Bible study of the book of Hebrews we read this list of sufferers from chapter 11.

Hebrews 11:32–40 NIV84

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

What do we call it when someone suffers unjustly because they are conscious of God? We call it persecution. (define). This is a common experience for those who trust in God at the hands of those who do not. Jesus himself suffered persecution and he warned his disciples that they would experience the same. (See passages).

Matthew 10:21–25 NIV84

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!

Did Jesus’s prediction of the future come true? For those to whom Peter wrote in our text, he certainly alludes to it. 1 Peter 2:19–22 (NIV84)

19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

The book of Hebrews was written to Christians who were being persecuted to the point of considering turning away from Jesus. Paul refers to persecution as well. Even today those who follow Jesus are at times the victims of unjust suffering because we are conscious of God.

On the morning of November 11, 2020, Iranian intelligence agents knocked on the doors of 10 Christian families in Fardis, approximately 25 miles west of Tehran. The agents had one goal in mind: evidence. During the coordinated raids, anything related to the families’ Christianity—Bibles, Christian literature, phones, laptops—was confiscated. A few months later, Iranian police summoned a member of each of the families for interrogation. There, each family member was ordered to sign commitments to give up meeting together, both in person or online. Though such demands are common when Iranian Christians are interrogated, this was the first example of intelligence officials demanding they agree to have no further social interaction together at all, including online. The wording was a direct result of Iran’s newly amended Article 500 law. The new amendment to Article 500 adds vague terms, prohibiting “psychological manipulation” or so-called “mind control” by members of “sects” in the “real or virtual sphere (in person or online).” When Iranian believers Amin Khaki, Milad Goodarzi and Alireza Nourmohammadi refused to sign the papers, the three men were quickly threatened with long-term prison sentences. “It would be better for you if you left the country,” Iranian police told them. Some 18 months later in May 2021, Amin, Milad and Alireza were officially charged, forced to pay bail of 250 million tomans (around $12,000 each) and were required to report weekly to the intelligence branch of Iran’s police force for the next six months. When the three believers recently stood before an Islamic court in June, they were forced to defend themselves without representation. The judge told them they weren’t entitled to a lawyer—a breach of their rights under Iran’s constitution. Each of the three men received the maximum sentence of five years in prison and were fined for “engaging in propaganda that educates in a deviant way contrary to the holy religion of Islam.”

Put it to the test: Certain issues today have become hot topics. If you want to experience some unjust suffering, openly speak or write on those topics from a Judeo/Christian belief system and be ready for some retaliation. It is much worse for Christians living in countries controlled by non Christian religious groups.

How do we deal with the threat of persecution?

Become members of the secret service?

Retaliate?

Bear up under unjust suffering and look to Jesus for an example, encouragement, and strength.

1 Peter 2:21–25 NIV84

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Just as Jesus entrusted himself to his heavenly Father, we are to entrust ourselves to God who promises to watch over, protect, and ultimately deliver his children (sheep who follow the Good Shepherd. Even though we have sinned against God like sheep who wander away, he has called us back and forgiven us for Jesus sake. We are now considered his sheep who are watched over by Jesus.

St. Paul had such hope himself. And he makes an important point as he talks about the end of suffering — that it may not happen in this lifetime but that it will happen. 2 Timothy 4:16–18 (NIV84)

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

In the meant time, continue to rely on our Good Shepherd who cares for us. Amen.