Following the Example of Jesus
In 1 Peter 2:19-24 we find a marvelous description of Jesus and our obvious responsibility to imitate His qualities. The passage reads,
“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”
In studying this passage, we are forced to consider
our own actions as we suffer. How do we respond? How should we respond?
The Christian needs to look no further than Jesus Christ to find the
answer. As Peter writes he specifically addresses the “servants”
in this section (v. 18). They are commanded to be
“submissive…enduring…suffering…and patient” in their roles.
Interestingly, they were to do all of this while dealing with “harsh”
masters, while “suffering wrongfully” and while being
“beaten.” What should we do in similar situations?
First, observe the example of Christ. In all of His suffering, we
are told He “committed no sin.” The text gets even more specific.
It says that there was “no deceit found in His mouth.” Perhaps
the idea behind this phrase is that Jesus did not pretend to be
something else to avoid suffering. If teaching and being truthful would
bring persecution Jesus would submit to it. In addition, Jesus was
“reviled.” A short definition of “revile” is “open rebuke, insult
and abuse.” Again, how does Jesus react? He “did not revile in
return.” Our Lord would not stoop to the level of His enemies to win
some personal war. Jesus also “suffered” at the hands of His
accusers. Yet, He “did not threaten” to harm them. Instead, the
text says “He committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…”
Jesus Christ did not have to be justified in the eyes of men. Men could
abuse, accuse, embarrass, persecute and finally kill Him. All along
Jesus knew it would be God making the final judgment—the judgment that
truly matters.
Second, remember your calling as Christians. Verse 21 says,
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” The word
for “example” literally means “writing under.” The word was used to
describe a child learning to write. Just as a child takes each letter on
a piece of paper and tries to carefully trace over them, we are to take
Jesus’ example and carefully and intentionally do our best to imitate
it. This is in keeping with the very definition of the term
“Christian”—a follower of Christ. So, if Christ could deal with being
unjustly accused, punched, spit upon, threatened and crucified…we too
can deal with the light suffering that harsh, uncharitable behavior
often brings. This willingness to suffer, forgive and do good is what
makes a Christian different from others in the world. Christ suffered
because of your sins. We are called to do the same for others.