Have you ever been wrongly accused of something that you had never done, and then been punished for it? Perhaps as a child one of your teachers blamed you for something that another student had done. As you get older, it could get more serious. A police officer could claim you didn’t yield when driving, or speeding when you weren’t, and issue you a ticket. More serious than that would be if your boss falsely accused you of something and you lost your job, and even worse you could be falsely accused of a crime and spend time in prison. In the Apostle Peter’s first letter to Christians who were going through some seriously difficult times for their faith in Jesus, including many having to leave their homes, he spoke about such circumstances, and what their reaction should be. Let’s see what God’s Word can teach us.
Peter was writing to give encouragement to Christians in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) who were being persecuted for their faith. He explains here why righteous suffering matters, as it reflects the Lord Jesus to others. Peter begins this segment of Scripture to say that God is pleased when believers endure unjust suffering, because they are conscious of Him (vs. 19). It is commendable, as God looks with favor on their endurance when they don’t give up their faith in Him. This, as Peter states, is if they are going through this suffering wrongfully, not because of sin or any wrongdoing that they have done. The motive of the suffering is important for meriting God’s blessing and favor. It must be for righteousness, not sin, stoicism, or self-glory. Righteous suffering is meaningful because it is focused on the Lord.
Some suffering is deserved for the wrong that was done, and this suffering has no spiritual value (vs. 20). If you were speeding, you deserve the ticket. If you committed the crime you deserve the prison sentence. However, often good people suffer for doing well. The bad treatment they are enduring is undeserved. Not all suffering is noble. Only the suffering endured for righteousness’ sake is commendable to God. If a person does wrong and then suffers the consequences, even though they patiently endure the punishment, nobody applauds. But when you do what is right and suffer for it with grace and patience, God applauds.
Now Peter gets to the heart of this passage. Believers are called to righteous suffering (vs. 21). This is not because God delights in pain, but rather because such suffering follows the example of Jesus Christ, and it displays Him to the world. We are conformed to the image of Jesus because He also suffered unjustly. His suffering was substitutionary because He suffered for us, and also left us an example to follow.
Verse 22 is a quote from Isaiah 53:9, which establishes that Jesus was sinless and perfectly righteous. He alone was qualified to be the spotless Lamb of God, the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. Only a sinless substitute can bear the sins of others.
What was Jesus’ response to the unjust suffering that He endured? So often when someone is wrongly accused and punished for something they didn’t do, they try to defend themselves, raising their voice in anger. On that Good Friday, Jesus did not retaliate. He did not answer back. Instead, He left the judging to God. He did not seek revenge (vs. 23) This is the pattern for believers to follow. We do not need to vindicate ourselves as God will do that for us.
Jesus bore our sins upon Himself, in His own Body, on the Cross (vs. 24). Because He bore our sins, we are to die to sin and live for righteousness. Following in Jesus’ steps means pursuing holiness and enduring suffering. The Cross of Christ reveals man’s sin at its worst, but also God’s love at its deepest. In taking our place on the Cross, Jesus experienced the wrath of God against our iniquities. As a result, the penalty for our sins has been fully paid.
Peter closes with a pastoral reminder (vs. 25). We were like wandering sheep (Isaiah 53:6). However, Jesus’ substitutionary death brings us back into God’s fold. He is now our Shepherd, protecting and providing for us. He is also our Overseer or Bishop of our souls, guarding and taking care of us for all eternity.
As the day of Christ’s return draws closer, there will be more persecution and suffering of His followers. As Peter has told us, suffering for doing right is never wasted. It is precious to God. We need to imitate Jesus’ humility, patience, and trust in God during any time of suffering we go through. And now, the One who suffered before us and for us, watches over us.
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