Thursday, March 30, 2006
1 Peter 4:1a, 12a, 13a . . . since Christ suffered for us in the flesh . . . beloved, do not think it is strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings . . .
SINCE CHRIST SUFFERED . . .
There was persecution coming to Peter's readers, some kind of difficulty or suffering -- but not just any old kind of hardship. Peter says, "a fiery trial" would afflict them. Hardship that would come on them because they were believers.
Not everyone would be affected in the same way as Peter says, "to the extent that you partake . . ." This persecution would be like what happens when a tornado hits. For some homes it may mean the loss of a few shingles, for others damage from falling trees, for others the loss of their whole house.
But whatever the degree would be for those believers, persecution would come. And when it did, Peter wanted them to have a God-fearing perspective on it. "But rejoice when you partake of Christ's sufferings."
It is so for us as well. When we as Christians direct our lives and head in whatever direction God has set up for us, our place for beginning will always be that of Peter's words in verse 1:3. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh . . ." Our starting point in all of life is with Jesus' suffering, knowing that He suffered and died on the cross and that it was done to take care of our sins. It is His Passion and knowing why He did it all which gives us perspective in which ways and how to go.
But don't get Peter wrong when he says we can "rejoice" when "fiery trials" come. It is not the suffering itself that gives us joy and makes us happy. I don't know of anyone who enjoys pain. Instead Peter would have us remember the connection that it makes: we are suffering Christ's suffering. Not that our suffering is getting us in good with God, but that our suffering marks us as belonging to Christ.
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you," Jesus said (John 15:18, 20b). It is because of our connection with Jesus that we will face suffering, just as He did. And that is where we as believers should find our pleasure and our joy!
