Wednesday after Jubilate, 5/9/01

 

1 Peter 2:21 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:" (NKJV)

In the Name of our Perfect Example, Amen.

Whose steps are you following in? Do you have a hero, a role model, or mentor? All merely human heroes and mentors have some fault and easily disappoint. Our text points us to the only One whose steps are always worth following, Christ, our example- and more! Luther once called suffering evil in return for good "an essential feature" of our calling as Christians. Persecutions are a consequence of baptism, of Christianity. The Christian, because He is a Christian, is subjected to the holy and precious cross. Luther also once bluntly stated, "If you are unwilling to suffer and to be reviled and slandered, if you prefer honor and ease, then deny Christ and embrace the delights of the world and the devil." How do you react when treated with rudeness, cruelty, and injustice for the sake of your faith? When we are persecuted we want to fight back, especially with harsh words. We are like children who are fighting and are confronted by a disciplining parent. One child will say, "He started it." But the parent replies, "That doesn't mean you had to finish it." Our text points us to the fact that "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." Christ suffered, not only, to leave us an example, but He suffered "for us," "instead of us," "in our place." No man has ever paid the price of his own sins, great or small. Even if man's suffering could avail for sin, the individual could not go beyond paying for his own sins. Our Lord Jesus committed no sin. Yet He alone was called to suffer for all people. Not only is Christ our example- and more- in suffering, but He enables us to follow His example. He bears our sins for us and sends us His Holy Spirit which strengthens us through Word and Sacrament that we may walk in newness of life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for leaving us an example in suffering. We thank you also that You are much more than our example, as the One who bore the punishment that bought us peace with God. Strengthen us by the Holy Spirit, that we may bear the cross patiently. In Your saving Name, Amen.