A couple with especially irregular church attendance had been asked by their preacher to host a visiting minister for lunch. The couple obliged and put together a very special meal for the guest preacher. When they all sat down to eat, their little boy, who was accustomed to diving right in, immediately reached for the mashed potatoes. But, because the minister was present, his mother gently stopped his hand and bowed her head in hopes he would follow her example.
The boy caught on quickly. He looked around the table and saw that all of the adults were bowing their heads and closing their eyes. He was the only child present and he wanted to impress everybody, so just as his father was about to say the blessing, the little boy belted out, “Hey Dad, can I be the one who talks to the plate?”
There are so many instances in which we quickly can find out what kind of example we are leaving for others. Especially within the family dynamic of parents and children. What kind of example are we giving them in regards to our relationship with God, and its importance? What kind of example are we leaving them in regards to the relationship a husband and wife should have?
And, then, there’s the relationship between older siblings, and their younger brothers or sisters. Whether you believe it or not, those of you who are in high school or college are being looked up to by your younger siblings. And, you very often will be setting the example for them. The same can be said for our youth group, regarding the relationship the older ones have with the younger ones.
In so many facets of our lives, we are setting examples for others to follow. Whether good or bad. Whether we realize it or not. But, there comes a point in our lives in which we have to ask ourselves a very important question - “Whose example am I going to follow?” Will it be a brother, or sister, or parent, or grandparent, or a close friend? There are so many different examples - different choices - for us to follow, how are we to know which one is the best?
Well, I believe the answer to that question should be fairly obvious to us. Jesus Christ, who is described as being perfect in so many ways . . is also our perfect example. Because Jesus Christ was perfect in love, perfect in compassion, perfect in forgiveness - He naturally should be the example we follow in all things. And, there are so many different examples that he left us, it was hard for me to choose exactly what to preach on this morning.
But, as I was reading these verses from 1 Peter 2, which were read to us a moment ago, I noticed how important it was to Peter to emphasize how Jesus Christ was our example in three particular ways. So, this morning, we’re going to look at these three examples that Jesus left for us, so that - as Peter puts it - “you might follow in his steps.”
I. Willing to Suffer
A. The first, and foremost, example that Peter points to is that of Jesus’ suffering for good. As Peter says, it’s really no great achievement if we are suffering for some wrong-doing. We’re simply reaping the fruit of our actions. But, if we do good in our lives, and suffer for it, we are simply following the example of Jesus Christ.
This is a repeated theme in the book of Acts. As we read the accounts of the first century Christians who were constantly being punished for doing what was right. Whether it was preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus, or healing the sick, or driving out demons - they were continually facing persecution for righteous living.
This is one of the major themes in the book of Revelation, which we’ve been studying on Wednesday nights. If you read the letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor, found in chapters 2 & 3 of this book, you’ll see that there is a repeated theme of impending persecution that these churches were going to have to face. But, at the end of every one of these letters, Jesus concludes with a promise to those who overcome. To Him who overcomes, Jesus promises great things in heaven.
So, if we are going to be following the example of Christ, we must be willing to suffer. Turn with me to Philippians 1:27-30, where we can read what Paul has to say about suffering. [READ]
If we live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ, then we ought to expect some form of suffering. Now, I don’t have a very high pain threshold. I’ve never broken a bone. I’ve only had one cavity. I’ve never spent more than a few hours in the hospital. So, needless to say, I’m grateful that we don’t live in a time or place in which we would be suffering great physical abuse for our faith.
But, it would seem that there are fewer and fewer Christians who are wiling to undergo any kind of persecution for their faith. Why don’t more of us take our Bibles to work or to school - to read during our lunch break, or whenever we have a few minutes to spare? Do we fear the ridicule that we would almost certainly face?
Why don’t more of us take the time to pause and have a prayer before our meals when we are eating in a public restaurant? Do we just forget? Or, are we afraid of the strange looks we might get from the people sitting around us?
And, why aren’t more of us knocking on our neighbors’ doors inviting them to church, and encouraging them to come and hear more about Jesus Christ? Are we so calloused that we don’t care about their souls? Or, are we afraid of the response we might get?
Jesus Christ went to His death, teaching and living what was right in the eyes of God. So, why can’t we stand a little verbal abuse? Or, a little mocking? If we truly are going to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, then we must be willing and ready to suffer for His cause.
II. Turn the Other Cheek
A. The second example that Peter points to in the life of Christ, is that of turning the other cheek. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten.” You see, not only do we have to be willing to take upon ourselves that persecution, when living a righteous life, but we cannot retaliate.
A man was once driving along a narrow, winding road, in his sedan, when all of a sudden, a woman driving a large Rolls Royce came hurtling around the corner, nearly driving him off the road. As she drove by the man, he heard her shout, “Pig!”
Immediately, the man retaliated by yelling back, “Fat old cow!” Then he drove around the bend himself - and crashed head-on into the biggest pig he’d ever seen.
Often, our retaliation will hurt ourselves more than those at whom it is aimed. But, that’s the way our society works, isn’t it? If someone has injured you, or harmed you in some way, you can’t just sit back and take it! You’ve got to strike back. And, not only do you have to strike back, but you have to strike back harder. That way they’ll know not to mess with you again.
Well, let’s take note of what Jesus says in Matthew 5:38-42. Of all the examples Jesus gave here, I believe the one that hit home the most for the people listening was the one about going the extra mile. Of all the people the Jews despised the most in that day and time, it was the Roman presence in their cities that drove them crazy. And, a Roman soldier could, at any time, demand a Jewish man carry his load for a mile.
But, instead of Jesus saying that you should make that the most miserable mile he’s ever walked - he says, “don’t just go one mile, but go two.” When faced with persecution and suffering, we must learn to be patient, and resist the urge to strike back.
III. Trust in God
A. But, how? How can we resist that urge? Well, once again, we can look to the example of Jesus Christ. Peter tells us that Jesus didn’t strike back, “but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” We must continue living righteously, despite the suffering we may face, without retaliating, because it is God’s position to avenge. It’s God’s place to hand down the appropriate judgment on those who choose to mistreat us.
Our God can, and will, carry us through those difficult times. If only we will trust Him to. If only we will move forward with confidence, knowing that we must obey God, rather than men. Knowing that the truth of God’s Word must be shared. Knowing that there are souls that God desires to be saved.
IV. Conclusion
A. Jesus Christ left us so many examples to follow. But, it’s ever so important that we remember how He was willing to suffer for righteousness. And He did so without the slightest hint of retaliation. All because he knew that God, the Father, would one day punish those who were responsible.
Is this an example we can follow? I hope so. I hope that each of us here this morning are more willing than ever to do what is right in the eyes of God, without any regard for what others might say or do. And, in doing so, we will not only be securing our own salvation - but, we will be setting the appropriate example for those around us. Whether it’s our children, our brothers & sisters, or our friends - they will see an example worthy of following, as we follow in the steps of Jesus Christ.
INVITATION
