Walking in the Word

The Value of Suffering: Christ’s Model as Our Hope

. . . Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

As Easter approaches, we are drawn once again to the cross. What do you think about Easter? Many of us immediately reflect on the biblical significance of the event. Jesus bore our sins “. . .in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24-25). His death, burial, and resurrection form the core of the powerful gospel that, through belief, miraculously translates our souls from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of Light, God’s Kingdom. The Bible tells God’s redemptive story of His love, leading to the Easter weekend as the culmination of His plan to deal with sin and its effects while providing membership in His family for all who believe. Easter is a celebration for believers and a time of physical and mental suffering for Jesus. Additionally, Easter is about more than the payment for our sins.

But instead of merely mourning Christ’s suffering, we are invited to learn from it – to find in His pain a pattern for our perseverance, a purpose for our trials, and a promise of victory. Jesus didn’t just suffer for us; He suffered before us as a model to follow. Before highlighting the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death, Peter emphasizes the practical aspect of Jesus’ suffering – He left us an example. How do you respond when you’re suffering? When things don't go our way, what is our reaction? Peter reminds us that Jesus demonstrated, during a painful weekend, how God’s children should suffer.

. . .But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²²“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:20-23)

When He suffered, He didn’t sin. He wasn’t deceitful or threatening. He didn’t retaliate; instead, He entrusted everything to the Father, who “judges justly.” This is a fantastic testimony. He was unlawfully arrested for claiming to be God. Without a trial, He was beaten, slandered, humiliated, pronounced guilty, and hanged on a Roman cross - all without sinning, being deceitful, threatening, or retaliating. This is the one who created the universe!

Jesus faced suffering honestly. Mark quotes Jesus in Mark 14:34: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Jesus never denied His sorrow. He didn’t mask His grief or pretend He was untouched by pain. He cried out, wept, and felt sorrowful, yet He never sinned. His honesty allows us to bring our pain to God unfiltered and genuinely.

At the heart of Jesus’ suffering was surrender and trust in the Father’s will, even when it meant the cross. His obedience was not blind but faith-filled, grounded in the unshakable knowledge that God’s purposes are always good. He is the giver of good gifts. Hanging between two criminals, mocked by the crowd and abandoned by friends, Jesus chose forgiveness. Forgiveness not when the pain had passed but while it still pierced Him. This is not just love; it’s divine love, and we are called to live in it.

Jesus endured with joy set before Him – “. . .who for the joy set before him endured the cross . . . (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus looked beyond the cross to the resurrection. He suffered with grit and hope, seeing the joy of salvation, the triumph of God’s kingdom over death, and the restoration of all things. His suffering was not the end; it was the doorway to victory.

His suffering was real, but so was His resolve, mercy, and hope. As we celebrate Easter, let’s do more than remember His pain –let’s follow His example. Be honest about your sorrow and suffering. Surrender your will to God’s. Forgive without conditions attached. Endure with the strength provided by God (1 Corinthians 10:13). As we reflect on Jesus’ model of suffering, consider:

· Maintain your focus on the eternal reward.

· Asking, “How can I glorify God in this trial?”

· Understand that your suffering is not in vain; it’s creating a testimony.

An Easter Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us how to suffer with grace, courage, and faith. Help me to follow in Your footsteps, not only in times of joy but also during trials. Let Your cross be my guide and Your resurrection my hope. As I walk through my challenges, let me reflect on the beauty of Your example. Amen.