October 2
“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. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls,” 1 Peter 2:21-25.
As Christians, we have been called to follow the example of Christ. Through faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are assured that we will enjoy the glories of heaven. However, the way along which the Christian journeys to his eternal glory is not a smooth, soft, comfortable way. Like a highway that needs extensive repair and construction, the way through this life is often rough and bumpy and difficult to tread.
In His holy Word, God has told us, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God,” Acts 4:22. We do not earn our way to eternal life through our suffering and pain. The tribulations come our way because of our spiritual enemies: The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. We are hated for our Christian convictions and confession. Remember what Jesus told His followers: “You will be hated by all for My name’s sake,” Matthew 10:22. Then, He added, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” Matthew 10:24-25. As Jesus’ followers, we can expect to be called by many shameful names!
Remember what they did to Jesus, “‘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.” Jesus was and is the sinless Son of God. He could look all of His enemies in the eyes and say, “Because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” John 8:46.
Jesus was the sinless, silent, suffering Savior, of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth,” Isaiah 53:7. While hanging on Calvary’s cross, He prayed for those who mocked, ridiculed, persecuted, and crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do,” Luke 23:34.
When we behold the price that Christ paid to redeem us, we should not be intimidated by what the enemies of Christianity will do to His followers. Like Jesus, we should commit ourselves into God’s gracious hands and continue in the faith. By His stripes we have been cleansed of all our sins. Of ourselves, “(We) were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of (our) souls.” By the grace of God, we will continue in the faith.
“Stand up! Stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the Cross!
Lift high His royal banner;
It must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry,
His army shall He lead,
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.” Amen.