| Christian Life and Doctrine | December 1964 |
Strengthening the Brethren
WHEN Jesus and the Twelve were together in the upper room the night before the crucifixion, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31,32) Peter was a firm believer in Jesus. He was convinced that his beloved Master was the foretold Messiah. Hence when Jesus spoke of his future conversion he did not mean a change from being an unbeliever to being a believer. Rather, the reference was to a change of viewpoint which was to take place in Peter’s understanding of the full scope of his Master’s place in the divine plan, and of the position to be occupied by his disciples.
Peter was a rugged fisherman, and accustomed to carrying out his own plans in life quite as he wished. It was natural for him to assume that the great Messiah of promise would be no less capable of accomplishing what he desired, hence the consternation that filled the heart of this ardent apostle when Jesus let it be known that he was going to Jerusalem where he expected to be arrested and put to death. To Peter this must have seemed like surrendering to the enemy, so he said to his Master, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”—Matt. 16:22
Jesus replied to Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (vs. 23) And then, addressing his disciples in general, Jesus added, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (vss. 24,25) To the disciples this must have seemed like a strange viewpoint. Peter had advised Jesus not to expose his life to danger, but Jesus explained that in this Peter had expressed a human viewpoint, which indeed it was.
The generally accepted human viewpoint is that one must protect his own interests, and the interests of those near and dear to him, at almost any cost. The idea of deliberately choosing a course that leads to suffering and death is frowned upon by those who are guided by the wisdom of this world. This was the case with Peter. Not only did he endeavor to dissuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem where his enemies were waiting for him, but later even tried to prevent his arrest, going so far as to cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest.
Peter was in this frame of mind that night in the upper room when Jesus said to him, “Satan hath desired thee, that he may sift thee as wheat.” Satan was working hard with Peter in an attempt to wrest him away from his Master’s leadership. He had found a slight area of difference between them, and was laboring on this point of difference to drive the wedge of separation deeper if possible. But Jesus assured Peter of his prayers, and said to him, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Jesus had confidence that Peter would come through this experience, and would ultimately gain the right viewpoint, which he did.
Enlightened
Peter was not “converted” until Pentecost. Then he received the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and was able to see the reason for Jesus’ suffering and death. Indeed, in his pentecostal sermon Peter called attention to prophecies pertaining to Jesus’ death and resurrection. If he had discerned the meaning of these prophecies when he was with Jesus, Peter would not have endeavored to prevent his crucifixion. But now he knew, and without doubt, that his previously wrong viewpoint, and the experiences to which it had led, was a special preparation, enabling him to appreciate the truth on the subject more clearly than might otherwise have been possible.
Thus Peter was well prepared to strengthen the brethren along the line of Christian suffering, and the place it occupies in the outworking of the divine plan. This comes to light in Peter’s first epistle, an epistle that Peter may well have written with his Master’s admonition to strengthen the brethren particularly in mind. And all the Lord’s people need strengthening along this line. Suffering is not pleasant, and the flesh will endeavor to avoid it whenever possible, whether it be physical pain, or mental discomfort due to the frown of our neighbors and of the world in general. To face up to suffering and death, when perchance we could choose a more pleasant course, requires faith and courage, a courage which is the outgrowth of conviction that we are doing that which is well-pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
Let us note the manner in which Peter, in his first epistle endeavors to strengthen the brethren. First he reminds us that we are not seeking for earthly blessings, but heavenly. He reminds us that we have been begotten again “Unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you [margin, or, for us], who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”—ch. 1:3-5
It is in the hope of this inheritance that we have our chief cause for rejoicing, not in the material good things of life which might be ours if we bent our energies to secure them. Yes, we “greatly rejoice,” Peter explains, “though now for a season if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”—ch. 1:6-8
How beautifully does Peter thus emphasize that the Christian’s joys are based, not upon the abundance of the things which he may possess in this life, but upon his faith in the heavenly inheritance to which he has been called—that inheritance which will include the joy of being with the Lord Jesus, and with the Heavenly Father. Thus does Peter prepare us to see more clearly the privilege of suffering and dying with Jesus, even though this will mean for us, as it did for Jesus himself, the foregoing of material good things; at times, indeed, even surrendering our rights and earthly advantages as we follow in the footsteps of the Master.
Continuing, Peter wrote: “Receiving the end of your [Gr., the] faith, even the [Gr., a] salvation of your [“your” omitted in oldest MSS.] souls, of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ [the words, “of Christ,” omitted in Vat. MS.] which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” (ch. 1:9-11) Here Peter is reminding us that the “sufferings of Christ” had been foretold by God’s holy prophets. Peter did not know this when he was opposing the crucifixion of Jesus. But the Holy Spirit had revealed it to him, and thus he knew that it was a part of the divine plan for Jesus, and also for Jesus’ disciples, the body members of the larger Christ company.
Peter then explains that our redemption and salvation is due to the fact that Jesus, in keeping with his Father’s will as set forth in the Old Testament, gave up his life on our behalf. He says that we are “redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (ch. 1:19) Note here how Peter refers to the Old Testament symbolisms, and pictures Jesus as a “lamb without blemish and without spot.” Yes, he was indeed “the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”—John 1:29
To Offer Sacrifice
And then, in chapter 2, the converted Peter presents another line of thought, to remind us that following Jesus in the true sense does not lead to material advantages. In verse 5 he explains that we are a spiritual house, a “holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices.” In Old Testament times the priests of Israel offered animals in sacrifice, but not so with the holy priesthood of the present age. We offer ourselves to be consumed upon the antitypical altar, where our sacrifice is made acceptable through the blood of Christ. We go to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Heb. 13:10-13) We need only to think of the burning animals in the type to realize that in the offering of ourselves there will be suffering, and eventually death, into which we voluntarily enter.
Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1) When Peter endeavored to prevent the crucifixion of Jesus he did not know that the messianic purpose of God called for sacrifice and suffering before the Messiah and his followers could enter into the promised glory of the kingdom. He was thinking only of the powerful and glorious reign of Christ, and his human reasoning told him that a dead Messiah could not set up a powerful and glorious government in the earth, such as had been indicated by God’s prophets.—Isa. 9:6,7
Peter thought of Jesus as a King, not as a priest to offer sacrifice; certainly not the sacrifice of himself. He hoped to be with Jesus in the kingdom, to share his rulership, but he did not expect to suffer and to die in order to attain to this high position of glory. But now, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, he had a clear vision of this aspect of the divine plan. Now he could strengthen the brethren to endure their suffering, so he wrote, “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us [margin, some read, for you], leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself [margin, or, his cause] to him that judgeth righteously.”—ch. 2:19-23
All the Lord’s people need to be strengthened in order to take patiently the suffering that is inflicted upon them unjustly; that is, when they have done no wrong which would justify the trials which have been inflicted upon them. This was the position of Jesus. He spent his life going about doing good. He never harmed anyone, and yet his enemies reviled him and put him to death. This is the example which we are invited to emulate. This is the course laid down for us by the footprints of the Master. This is what it means truly to be one of his disciples.
The nominal church, on the whole, has gotten far away from this concept of the Christian life. Membership in a church is looked upon as something that will result in material gain. The social gospel claims that evidence of God’s favor is success in business, or in securing the best employment, enjoying good health, and having many friends in the social world. But this was not Jesus’ viewpoint, nor the viewpoint of the apostles and those in the Early Church who followed their teachings. Suffering for well-doing, and taking it patiently, without any disposition to fight back, is what results in God’s favor, Peter wrote. Surely we need strength to walk in a way of this sort, and to continue in it faithfully unto death!
Among Ourselves
Since this is to be our viewpoint toward the outside world, it must of necessity be the same in our association with the brethren. On this point Peter wrote, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous [Gr., humble]: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”—ch. 3:8,9
Since we are in the world but not of the world, we find ourselves surrounded by coolness and opposition. It is most fitting, therefore, that all who are walking in this narrow way together should be of one mind, and have compassion one for the other. Due to our fleshly imperfections misunderstandings will occur, but those who are laying down their lives doing good, and are not returning evil for evil so far as the world is concerned, will surely want to be guided by this same Christian principle in their dealings one with another. These will realize that having their own way is not nearly so important as endeavoring to be all of one mind, and sympathetic toward those who, according to the flesh, are different from themselves.
And then Peter continues to strengthen the brethren by reminding them that God will not permit them to be harmed as new creatures if they continue to follow the right path of sacrifice. He wrote: “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.”—ch. 3:13,14
Looking back to Jesus, our Exemplar, we can see that he was not harmed. True, he was reviled; his enemies spat upon him and placed a crown of thorns upon his head. They nailed him to a cross, and let him hang there until he died. They inflicted much suffering upon the Master, but they did not harm him as a new creature, for his suffering and death was his way to glory, honor, and immortality. It is the same way with us. Suffering inflicted upon us by our enemies can harm us only if we permit such experiences to embitter our hearts so that we will begin rendering evil for evil. This might result in temporary satisfaction to the flesh, but if continued will lead to the loss of our inheritance with Jesus in the heavenly phase of his kingdom.
Continuing his message of encouragement, Peter wrote, “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (ch. 3:17,18) Prior to Peter’s conversion to the right viewpoint, he surely would not have admitted that it is better to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. He knew that Jesus’ entire life was one of well-doing, and he rebelled at the thought that such a man would be made to suffer and to die. But now Peter knew the purpose of his Master’s suffering and death, and he knew that we, his followers, have the privilege of suffering and dying with him. And to know why we suffer, and to be assured that this is the will of God for us, is surely a great source of strength in facing our experiences.
Again, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.” (ch. 4:1) To be armed is to be rendered strong in our resolution that we will endure grief, suffering wrongfully, if this is the will of God for us. If we are determined in this viewpoint, and recognize that in taking this position we will be following the example of Christ, we will be able to endure much more victoriously than if we should endeavor to sidestep the privilege of suffering and dying with the Master. True, it is easy to talk about suffering with Christ, but the real test is not merely in talking about it, but of enduring joyfully when the opportunity comes to us.
Not Strange
Continuing to strengthen the brethren, Peter wrote, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (ch. 4:12,13) To Peter, before Pentecost, it was very “strange” indeed that fiery trials should come upon Jesus, leading to his crucifixion. But since he had learned that this was God’s plan for him, and it had been foretold by the prophets, he realized it was not strange. Nor should we think it strange when fiery trials come into our lives, for, as Peter explains, we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings. And, if we partake of his sufferings, and endure courageously and faithfully unto the end of the narrow way of suffering, we will share in his glory.
And how strengthening it should be to our faith to realize that the trials which come to us as a result of faithfulness to the Lord, to the truth, and to the brethren, are not due to our Heavenly Father’s lack of interest, but because he is supervising our experiences to prepare us for joint-heirship with his beloved Son in the kingdom! The human mind is prone to say, “How strange that this great trial has come into my life!” But Peter says that we should not reason in this manner, but rather, rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.
It requires faith to take this viewpoint, a faith that is based on an understanding of the reason that the narrow way is so difficult. True, we do not always understand in detail just why certain experiences are permitted to come into our lives, but we know the plan of God in arranging for us to suffer with Christ, and the details we can leave in his hands. If the way of the cross seems hard, we have the assurance of divine grace to help in our every time of need, and our faith should enable us to say that we would rather walk in the dark with God than go alone in the light.
For Righteousness’ Sake
Not all suffering is acceptable to God. Sometimes our trials may be due to our own imperfections, imperfections which cause us to say and do things that are contrary to the will of God. Peter calls our attention to this, saying, “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”—ch. 4:15,16
From the Lord’s standpoint we could become murderers through the assassination of a person’s character by evil speaking. By misrepresentation we could “steal” another’s good name and reputation. Those who do these things frequently find themselves embroiled in trials and difficulties, but they cannot properly rejoice in such experiences on the grounds that they are the sufferings of Christ. These are sufferings which result from wrongdoing, and are a cause for shame on the part of those who experience them. Only those who suffer for righteousness’ sake can be assured of the Lord’s approval, and look forward to receiving their inheritance with Jesus in the kingdom of heaven.
God Cares
While the way of the cross is a difficult one, its joys far outweigh its sorrows. These joys are largely in the assurance of our loving Heavenly Father’s love and care. Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your Adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”—ch. 5:6-9
We are to humble ourselves before the Lord and accept without question the experiences which he permits. If we rebel, it means that we have not properly learned the needed lessons pertaining to our walk in the narrow way. But we can humble ourselves with the full assurance that the Lord’s loving care is over all our ways, that he is our constant caretaker, even though at times the flesh might well reason that he has forgotten us. The One who cares for us is never weary; his eye is watchful for our every need; and his ear is ever open to our cry.
Besides, our Heavenly Father is abundantly able to do for us more than we can possibly ask or think, and will do so, if we continue humbly to look up to him in thankfulness for all the blessings which his love provides—even for our trials. These latter also are blessings in disguise, because they have a part in preparing us for glory. Our great Adversary will try to tell us otherwise, but knowing the purpose of our sufferings, and maintaining a clear vision of this purpose, we will have strength to resist Satan, and to go on in the narrow way, following the Lamb even unto death. How precious is the promise, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10
How thankful we are that Peter was faithful to the commission Jesus gave to him to strengthen the brethren by giving them the assurance that Christian suffering is God’s will for them, and an evidence of divine favor!