The Just for the Unjust
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Hymns49 247 257 543 communion 808 Readings
1 Peter 3:18
Suffering – loss of income, work, position – threats to become outcasts from, family and community- even fear of martyrdom.
Is this just pointless empty wasteful suffering –all for nothing?
-need to be willing to suffer for the sake of their testimony if need be. Their willingness to suffer for their testimony may result in salvation of others!
Peter points to the example of Jesus – It is clearly God’s will to use suffering to accomplish his purposes. God has brought salvation out of suffering.
Look again at the nature of Christ’s sufferings and look at the amazing consequences of his sufferings. Be encouraged when you are called to suffer. God can bring wonderful and good things from it.
1. It was real suffering
1. It was real suffering
Predicted
Predicted
Mark Twain – mistaken obituary NY Journal - The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated!
Mark Twain – mistaken obituary NY Journal - The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated!
Not so for Jesus… every time he read about the anger of God in OT scriptures. We read with amazement and thankfulness. Imagine the child Jesus reading --Despised, rejected, Grief sorrow, Bruises, Chastisement, Stripes, Oppressed, Afflicted, Slaughter, Prison, Judgement, Cut off, Grave, Sin bearing! Forsaken, groaning, crying, mocked, bones out of joint, heart like wax, thirst, pierced hands and feet, exposed, abandoned by God!
Experienced – in the flesh! Bodily
Experienced – in the flesh! Bodily
- Darkness of Gethsemane, Abandonement by the disciples, Scourging, Abuse of the Roman soldiers, strain of a false trial. The crucifixion itself. -- No pain killers, no supernatural turning off of the nerves! Refused the primitive painkillers. The hours of torture- Mark does give the time intervals – 3rd hour crucifixion – 6th – 9th hours darkness 9.00am – 3pm 6hours of torture.
He descended into Hades….psyochological,mental,emotional
Terminated in death -
Terminated in death -
The abnormal spiritual wrench of righteous death.------Don’t forget – your master suffered more than you!
2. It was suffering that came upon a totally righteous man!
2. It was suffering that came upon a totally righteous man!
Why? Troubled filled fallen world. Man born to trouble! Adam’s inheritance. Unrighteous deserve to suffer and die.
Whole world under sentence of death- not because we deserve a delay. Death row – place for prisoners under sentence of death.
US over 3000 on death row – complex appeals- checks.
US over 3000 on death row – complex appeals- checks.
No need for appeals or checks!
But Peter states that there is one man who is entirely different – singular –rightous one- Personal knowledge for 3 years
Never experienced guilt or personal shame or regret for what he did.
Acutely sensitive – sin hardens a man- a sinless man is the most sensitive to suffering.
3. He suffered for the sins of unrighteous people
3. He suffered for the sins of unrighteous people
Great test of friendship – what are you prepared to do for me?
Kidney gift- long recovery- danger. Man for pregnant wife in car acc
Kidney gift- long recovery- danger. Man for pregnant wife in car acc
for unrighteous ones.
for unrighteous ones.
Great language of NT Jesus – ransom for many 8:32 ,
concerning sins –
concerning sins –
language of sin offering- Peter who was so hostile to the idea of a suffering messiah – has his mind transformed! No part of the OT that does not speak of Christ – Leviticus – Priests and sacrifices. A death that deals with our sins-There is a way for guilt to be removed in God’s reckoning.
4. His suffering had wonderful consequences.
4. His suffering had wonderful consequences.
Once – indicates it is done – His great cry – Finished!
Repetitive OT – millions! 250,000 in each Passover! Effective!
Repeat exams à failed – only once! Success – Pass!
He can be the one who grants access to God’s immediate presence.
Ineffective OT system- Only high priest once/year! Veil torn.
Brings us to God –
Brings us to God –
unusual word– used of granting access to imp.officials with the right to speak in their presence.
Protesters – swiftly removed! No right to be there
Jesus acts as our mediator intercessor - as we pray -
Access –stand. boldness & access with conf! Boldly to the throne! No one has the right to turn Christ away!
Can’t drive in to Buckingham palace – but if Prince Charles allows me into his car and he drives me in!
Can’t drive in to Buckingham palace – but if Prince Charles allows me into his car and he drives me in!
Jesus acts as our usher at death – Stephen sees Jesus standing.
Climax of access –
Climax of access –
Final presentation
His bride- become what they are through his suffering.
Ridiculous to think of the bride not being allowed in to her wedding!
Totally Able and totally willing to do this for you!--Vital protocol for entering God’s presence – death.Confession– agree with Christ’s witness--Agree with God’s witness about his Son – Christ’s witness about himself – Peter’s witness about his Lord. --Call upon him- Entrust yourself to him.