Our Example Within Suffering

Our Example within Suffering

1 Peter 2: 21-25

Our text today is a rich passage that deals with much of what Christ endured on our behalf. Peter also speaks of the abundance believers receive through a relationship with Christ. While these truths are universal, and foundational elements of the Christian faith, we need to consider them within the context of the passage.

Christ suffered much in order to provide our salvation. He submitted fully to the will of the Father to accomplish redemption’s plan. These are truths that Peter affirmed, and are impossible to deny. However, we must consider the suffering of Christ within the context of the message Peter sought to convey. Having spoken at length about our Christian witness among the world, even in the midst of suffering, Peter declared that Christ was our great example when we are faced with suffering and pain because of our faith. In fact, we will be able to endure the adversities we face much better when we are reminded of all Christ endured on our behalf. I do not imply that we will have the wisdom or fortitude to endure exactly as Christ did, but knowing His commitment in the face of extreme suffering should compel us to abide faithful, even as we suffer for the faith.

As we discuss the attributes Peter spoke of regarding our Savior, I want to consider: Our Example within Suffering.

I. The Righteous Son (21-23) – In the opening verses of our text, Peter speaks of the commitment of Christ the Son to the will of God the Father. His righteous commitment should serve to challenge us to remain steadfast in the faith. Consider:

A. The Expectation (21) – For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Here, Peter refers back to the statement made in the previous verse. Every believer is called, and expected, to abide faithful to the Lord, even in the midst of suffering and difficulty. Such faithfulness is expected because Christ suffered on our behalf, leaving an example we are to follow. 'The word (example) means the pattern of some picture or letter that a teacher gives to the pupil. The pattern is to be copied or reproduced. The idea is that an exact copy is to be made; every detail of the pattern is to be reproduced. The exhortation is that we are to be an exact copy of Christ; we are to follow the pattern of Christ in every detail. (i) The word "follow" is the picture of a guide leading us along a most difficult and rocky path, so difficult that we must actually put our feet in his footprints." (ii)

The believer must follow the example Christ left for us, but we must also understand this is impossible apart from a close walk with Him, actually following the path in which He leads. This does not imply that Christ’s example in death merely left an example for us to follow in death. As He died, purchasing our redemption, He left an example for us to follow when facing persecution for the faith.

B. The Perfection (22) – Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Peter then reminded the reader of the righteous nature of our example. As Christ suffered in order to provide salvation for fallen humanity, He did so apart from sin. There was no sin found in Christ as He suffered the horrors of the cross. In fact, He had never once sinned – Christ did no sin. As He stood innocent before His accusers, there was no guile found within His mouth. There was not one trace of deceit found within the mouth of our Lord. He came to this earth God robed in human flesh. He lived a perfect, sinless life, and stood before His accusers in absolute righteousness.

While this was certainly imperative for Christ to be the atoning sacrifice for sin, accepted of the Father, it also reveals an encouraging aspect for believers as we endure trials and suffering. Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. He stands before the Father in complete righteousness. The saved by grace possess His imputed righteousness. Through the Spirit, the Lord equips us to abide faithful, even in extreme adversity. Apart from His righteousness, and the guidance of the Spirit, we would be unable to endure.

C. The Submission (23) – Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. Bear in mind that Peter is referring to Christ the Lord, the Sovereign of the universe, Creator and Sustainer of this earth and all who inhabit it. As Christ was reviled, reproached and slandered, He did not return such to His accusers. As Jesus suffered, He did not threaten those who abused Him. He could have spoken the word and these would have been destroyed, but He was committed to the will of the Father. Jesus had committed Himself to the righteous Judge, God the Father. He fully submitted to the will of God, which included His suffering and death. (While this is quite difficult to accomplish, we too must be willing to fully submit to God’s will for our lives, even if that involves suffering for our faith.)