An Example of Suffering
1 Peter 2:21-24
Why does God allow innocent people to suffer. This is one of the questions that many lost people ask or want when the subject of God is introduced. The simple answer is sin. But many will not accept that answer. To better understand this, we can look at how God in the form of Jesus Christ suffered as the result of sin thereby leaving us an example. This should give us a greater understanding and appreciation for God as well as help us with the subject of suffering.
Suffering connects us with Jesus Christ:
In Philippians 3:10 we see that Paul desires to know Christ and the fellowship of his suffering. We can use the fellowship of his suffering to help us know Jesus Christ better and have a better relationship with him.
Questions that help us to understand the sufferings of Jesus Christ:
1) Why did Jesus Suffer? Sin (John 3:5,8)
- Everything wrong in the universe is a result of Satan’s or man’s sin. In this passage we see that Jesus was manifested to deal with both issues.
2) How did Jesus suffer? Unjustly (Hebrews 12:1-4)
- One of the hardest types of suffering to endure is when we view it as unjust. Jesus understands this better than anyone.
3) What was the purpose of Jesus’ suffering? Perfection (Hebrews 2:10 ; Hebrews 5:8-9)
- Perfection here is not sinlessness but learning obedience.
4) What got Jesus through his suffering? Commitment (1 Peter 2:23)
- Jesus committed himself to God who judges righteously. We may not understand suffering, but we know that God cannot do anything unrighteous. Therefore, we commit ourselves to him as Jesus did.