The Model Sufferer
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Intro.
Intro.
Thinking of our text today, and what Peter has to say, I can’t help but think of the relationship that an apprentice has with this master/mentor.
The mentor shows the apprentice how to work the tools, shows him the ropes of the trade, may even show him some trick to make things more efficient — why?
Because the Mentor expects the apprentice to put the things into practice as a professional in the trade!
Being a disciple who makes more disciples is the same way — we show people how to follow Christ and endure, because we want them to repeat after us as we pass the baton of faith onto them.
Christ Himself passed on many different kinds of batons:
Love
Mercy
Evangelism
Discipline.
Today, we come to the realization that there is another, less convenient baton we must receive from the Lord, and run with:
Suffering.
Last week, as we are in the midst of talking about how Christians are to submit to varying authority figures in varying contexts, we discovered that house-servants were commanded to submit to householders. Whether they were kind of cruel, Peter says submit!
Why? Because to suffer for doing good brings favor from God, if we endure it. But, there is more to the context than that.
21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Always Go Back To Jesus
Always Go Back To Jesus
Peter, up until this point in his letter, has made a point to continually point the reader back to Jesus as the reason and inspiration for their behavior.
1 Peter 1.3-12 — Jesus brings us to our inheritance and things upon which angels long to look.
1 Peter 1.13-21 — Live as holy, because you have been bought by the holy blood of Jesus who redeemed you
1 Peter 1.22-25 — Love one another from a pure heart because each of you have been bought with His blood.
1 Peter. 2.1-10 — Remove any sin that hinders love and unity, because you are built together with the saints on the foundation of Christ as His temple and priests!
Now, we come to the part of submitting, where we have studied lately beginning in verse 11. Sometimes, submitting can be hurtful — physically, emotionally, mentally. And that is okay, when we keep in mind why we submit whether to the governing authorities, employers, or anyone else: that "why” is Christ!
“Because of this...”
“Because of this...”
The first word in 1 Peter 2.21 in English is “for” — and in our grammar context that could mean many different things. In Greek, the word means “because of this.”
“Because of this...”
The favor which is brought through enduring persecution for doing good.
“…Christ also suffered for you...”
He was accepted by the Father in His full submission to His plan — even to death.
16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
We learn from Christ’s sacrifice what love is, and we also learn, according here to Peter, that suffering unjustly when we do good is acceptable in the sight of God and He looks upon His servant with favor.
Many people who think they are servants of God Most High are actually akin to what Jesus said in the Parable of the Sower: Matt. 13.20-21
20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.
Follow His Example
Follow His Example
You see, the suffering of Christ is an example for us to follow as His disciples — be innocent, do good, and bear up under it when people persecute and even harm us in the Name of Jesus!
How is this even possible? How can we possibly do nothing as people abuse us?
The answer is that you don’t do “nothing” — you do the right thing. Look at what Peter says Jesus did:
22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
You say, “I have done absolutely nothing wrong!” Neither did Jesus, so endure it and do the right thing.
When cursed, we return love; when insulted, we bear it and return grace and mercy. Hear the words of Paul, written to Rome around the same time Peter wrote. Rom. 12.17-21
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Christ’s example for us is that suffering will come when we have done nothing wrong, and we must continue to do nothing wrong because we submit God over how we feel in a moment of pain. The glory of receiving God’s favor and grace is far greater than the fleeting moment of heated retaliation. Endure it according to the example Christ left you, and entrust yourself to God Who will righteously judge.
“In His body...”
“In His body...”
One might again say, “Well, Jesus never went through what I have!”
Maybe technically true, but Jesus endured worse — as is easily found in the ending of our chapter. 1 Peter 2.24-25
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
You may recognize Peter quoting Psalm 53 here — a reading through that chapter will find us also seeing the “Suffering Servant” beaten and bloodied beyond “human semblance”, and then we understand why Jesus fell under the weight of the Cross.
He bore your sins in His own body as He was crushed by the Father to the end that you would be restored to your God and live righteously!
As an aside: How are we doing on that righteous living?
We were all astray on our own merry paths living in disobedience, and through His suffering, we are healed in our very souls.
Surely, knowing His suffering on our behalf and toward our redemption, we can suffer a little in this life on His behalf and in His name.
So bear up and endure! When the people who are placed in charge of you are cruel, mean-spirited, rude, ungodly, bear up under that suffering in the name of Jesus your Lord and endure the suffering when you don’t deserve it. In so doing, you will find favor and grace from God, and you will follow the example set for you as a disciple of Jesus the Son.
