Witness in Suffering

MEMORY VERSE: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” —I Peter 4:16

I PETER 3:13-17; 4:12-17

WHEN Jesus announced to his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem where he expected to be arrested and put to death, it was Peter who said,” Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” (Matt. 16:22) At that time Peter could not understand why one like Jesus, who spent all his time doing good for others; should have to suffer and die.

Later, in the Upper Room, Jesus said to Peter, “Behold, Satan bath 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) When Jesus was leaving the Garden of Gethsemane, and the mob was about to arrest him, Peter drew, his sword in an attempt to prevent this injustice.

So Peter needed to be converted, not from sin to righteousness, but to the viewpoint, as stated in our lesson, that it is better to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. This “conversion” was fully accomplished at Pentecost with the giving of the Holy Spirit. Now, as Jesus said, he was to strengthen the brethren as to the place that Christian suffering occupies in the plan of redemption and salvation.

One instance in which Peter endeavors to fulfill this assignment is seen in his first epistle. He asks, “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.” Peter now knew that true followers of Jesus would suffer, but he also knew that this suffering would not harm them as new creatures. It did not so harm Jesus. True, they spat upon him; they mocked him; they, hung him on a cross until he died. But this merely tested his fidelity to his Heavenly Father, who on the third day raised him from the dead and exalted him to his own right hand in glory.

Now the converted Peter understood this, and he wrote, “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.” (I Pet. 3:17,18) Peter is here saying that our suffering, even as Jesus’ suffering, is for sin. We do not share in the work of redeeming the world from death, but we do share in the sufferings of Christ that we may prove worthy of association with Jesus in the future blessing of the world,

Peter further 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” It doubtless seemed strange to Peter when he saw Jesus arrested and put to death. But now he understood the reason for it and, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, realized that the followers of the Master have the privilege of sharing in his suffering.

In this message of encouragement to the brethren Peter points out that the prophets, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, foretold the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should, follow. (I Pet. 1:11) He emphasizes that followers of the Master share in this foretold suffering. This being true, there is no occasion for thinking it strange when we are permitted to suffer for righteousness’ sake.

One purpose of Christian suffering is to test our fidelity to God. This is referred to by Peter as “judgment,” and he says, “The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.” (ch. 4:17) The entire Christian era has been the judgment day of the true church.

Peter asks an important question: “What shall the end be of them [the unbelieving world] that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Peter does not answer this question. However, according to the Scriptures, the unbelieving world will appear for judgment during the world’s coming thousand-year judgment day.

QUESTIONS

Did Peter always understand the value of suffering for well-doing?

Did any lasting harm come to Jesus through his suffering?

Why should we not think it strange when we suffer as Christians?

When will the unbelieving world be judged?

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