Suffering
Posted by Pastor on March 29, 2010
Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22
As we enter Passion Week, it is appropriate that we return to 1 Peter 3. The word “passion” refers to suffering, originally the word meant to be affected by external forces, but came to have a negative connotation. In verse 13, Peter returns to discussing how Elect Exiles should relate to their society.
Peter makes a distinction between “doing good” and “being righteous.” In Roman culture, “doing good” meant something along the lines of being a benefactor for another person. In fact, Roman society was based on these benefactor relationships. A wealthy person would share his wealth, in the process earning honor and favors to be called in later. You may or may not like your benefactor, but you did not do anything to cause him shame. Peter reminds us that no one wants to harm a group of people who are benefactors of the community. This is one reason why churches should be involved in public ministries that improve the surrounding community life – doing so brings honor to the gospel way of life. If you do find yourself suffering, it should be due to your stand for righteousness. Not everything your culture considers a “good” will align with what God desires for good. We can agree with the world that helping children is an inherent good, and worthy of church action. We cannot agree that killing unborn babies is a good, no matter how our society decides that it is necessary for other good rights. If we are to be persecuted, it should be upon issues of righteousness, not because we are lazy and poor community members.
Peter then quotes Isaiah 8:12, reminding the Elect Exiles that there have been other times when the world seemed ready to win the victory over God’s people. Yet then, as now, the Lord is in control and will not let his people be put to shame. Take courage and trust in the Lord. Note too, that Peter equates Christ with God in this quotation.
Rather than cower in fear over what the neighbors will think of our faith, believers should be ready to talk about the hope that is within them. Verse 15 is often referred to in personal terms, but the “you” is plural. Each believer should be ready to explain what the community of God is all about – what the church is, and why it matters, and why it is pleasing to God. Yet, we should do so in a winsome way, not just to win an argument. Peter reminds us to walk our talk, and talk as we walk.
The suffering God allows always has a purpose, and this is shown no more clearly than in the suffering of Christ himself. It is because Jesus suffered that we are able to endure our suffering according to the promised victory. Jesus lived as the perfect man, and is the only man who never deserved to either suffer or die. Yet, by dying in our place, he took our punishment and gave us forgiveness and righteousness. This once-for-all, special sin offering cleanses the believer from the taint of sin and allows a restored relationship with our Creator, God. Because Jesus died, we now live. Because Jesus was raised, we will also be raised to live with him.
The next several verses occasioned this comment from the reformer Martin Luther, “A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means.” Well, neither do I.
Two things seem clear, however. Wherever Jesus was proclaiming, and whoever he was proclaiming to, what he was proclaiming was the victory over all through his righteous death and resurrection. Secondly, Peter teaches that the victory of Christ is an encouragement for Elect Exiles in the midst of suffering.
Whatever it is that makes you “not fit in,” whatever it is that causes you suffering as you make choices to align your life with Christ’s, whatever it is that causes you to fear worldly opinions – turn those things over to Christ who has once-for-all won the victory and claimed you as his own. As he is victorious, you will be victorious. There is really nothing “they” can do to you, for your life is secure and death is not the end or the worst thing that can happen. Honor Christ in all that you do, and trust his plan for your victory.
