One House : 1 PeterSample

Christ’s Example in Suffering

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:18–25 ESV

Peter has alluded to his own suffering and has directly spoken about it already in this letter. Here, he takes things a step further. Not only should we as followers of Christ have an expectation that suffering will happen, we should also make sure to endure.

There is a challenge given directly to servants who may have unjust masters. The challenge is that we are called to endure not merely when things go our way. Endurance in the face of suffering is one of the greatest examples to the world of the faithfulness of God. But whether the world recognizes it or not, God does. We are also shown that although enduring in the midst of suffering may be difficult, it is the example set before us by Christ. He is calling us to Himself when he calls us to endure suffering.