Called To Suffer Series

1 Peter 2:21-25 [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed [25] For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (ESV)

When we consider the ongoing toll of a pandemic, we see deaths, alienation, depression anxiety, suicide, separation, lost friends, business, opportunities, on and on and on. Unfortunately, we understand that current lockdown measures will continue until at least June 2nd. This will mean continued disruption, suffering, loss and uncertainty.

But directly for you, right now, what is your greatest difficulty? It’s not a pandemic, a list of restrictions, it is not your spouse, your job, your government or any suffering that you may have. There is a central problem that is behind all the outward manifestations. Your greatest problem is sin. It is the root of the problems in your marriage, being the employee God intends you to be, the citizen He intends you to be and the reason we suffer in this world. I am not saying that you committed a specific sin that caused your particular suffering, but it is the existence and problem of sin in this world that causes suffering. It is your personal sin, that is your greatest problem. There is a natural human tendency to avoid dealing with the source of problems. People will naturally downplay sinfulness and the essential problem of sin. From self-help books, to self-will salvation, the problem is claimed to be bad thinking, environment, society, parenting or some external factor. This clouds our real need, for a Saviour, a Substitute, a sacrifice. The atonement for sin is the reason Jesus came into the world.

In our study of First Peter we have seen recently the commands of submission to one another, Government and in the workplace. But we started 1 Peter considering how we must first submit to Christ in coming to salvation. If we don’t start with that, then it’s too easy to move to a works based moralism, taking our eyes off and our understanding away from the only one who helps us understand submission and the reason for obedience. Before he shows us how submission works itself out in other spheres of life, Peter here puts front and center, Christ, who shows us how to live but more importantly why we have life through submission even in the hardest of obedience, in pattern of suffering.

1 Peter 2:21-25 outlines how believers are Called to Suffer revealing the one to whom personified suffering. Jesus Christ. In this concluding passage of 1 Peter 2 Peter reveals three aspects of His suffering: He was 1) Believers’ perfect standard for suffering (1 Peter 2:21-23), 2) their perfect substitute in suffering (1 Peter 2:24), and 3) became their perfect shepherd through suffering (1 Peter 2:25).

As we are Called to Suffer, we can look to Christ as:

1) Believers’ Perfect Standard for Suffering (1 Peter 2:21-23)

1 Peter 2:21-23 [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (ESV)

Christians have been called to persecution and suffering, whether in society, the workplace or any other realm of life (2:20–21a). In all forms of suffering, we must look to Christ as our standard, and example. For Him, the path to glory was the path of suffering (Luke 24:25–26), and the pattern is the same for His followers. Do you see that v. 21 says that this is why we were called. This is why we are saved. Peter uses Isaiah’s words to explain that suffering unjustly because of faithfulness to Christ is actually evidence that, like the Messiah, they have been chosen of God. ( Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 200). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.)

• Those who are called unto salvation will encounter persecution and trials. When it happens, what do we say? Why don’t we tell people that God is a cosmic Santa Clause that exists to make them happy, healthy and wealthy? It is the message that people think they want to hear. It is the message that will sell the most books and fill the greatest stadiums. This is one reason why the prosperity Gospel is a false one. It is a bait and switch. It is what Satan does. The lie is that sin will satisfy. The result, is that sin delivers greater pain and suffering. When the greatest bait and switch in the universe is revealed, people are left without hope, without anything. The lie will not sustain at this point, but Christ will, so we proclaim Christ and Him crucified.