"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."-- 1 Peter 4:12-13
I have many times heard asked, "How can a loving God allow so much pain and suffering in this world?", or some variation thereof. In fact, a dear friend, strong in her faith, admitted her own doubts as to how a loving Father could stand by while His children suffered so much. She knew that parents do everything they can to shield their children from hurt and pain. Why cannot God, Who can do literally anything, not shield His believers, His children from all suffering?
I thought on this for a very long while before I came up with an answer that satisfied us both. Granted, parents do try to protect their children from unavoidable harm, and try their best to keep their children innocent for as long as they can. But do not we, even as the most loving and doting parents, teach our children how to ride a bicycle, remove the training wheels or other intermediary aids, and give them that first shove to independence on two wheels? And do we not do this knowing full well that our child will at some point fall and scrape a knee or elbow? Do we not do this with the full knowledge that by this very action our child will be hurt, to some extent or another? By this simple act, we knowingly send our children on a path that will result in pain and suffering. But we also know that sometimes, this is the only way to learn. We know if we do not give the child a chance to fall, they will never try to stand.
The Apostle Peter, in his first epistle "to the pilgrims of the Dispersion", adds much to this thought when he notes that we should not think it strange or out of the ordinary that we may suffer some affliction, some trial. The underlying implication is that everyone will face trials. Instead, he encourages us to rejoice in the face of these hard times, because we are being allowed to share in the sufferings that our Christ and Risen Savior endured! We should rejoice as we partake of Christ's sufferings. There are two interesting points about that simple sentence we should examine more closely.
First, take note that Peter said "Christ's sufferings". He used the plural, more than one instance of suffering, more than one pain, more than one trial. We need to remember as we read Peter's words that he personally knew Jesus, walked the dusty roads with Him, saw how badly He suffered at the hands of His persecutors, and knew even of the suffering Christ must have felt at Peter's own denial of Him. Our Lord suffered many times, and to a horrendously great extent. It has been said that no more cruel a method of putting a man to death has been created by the minds of humankind than crucifixion. Yet our Lord Christ not only suffered this horrible death, but He was beaten, humiliated, and abused in every conceivable manner before finally being nailed to the cross to die. Sufferings, indeed. If the Son of God experienced sufferings, plural, why should we expect to not also bear the pain of multiple sufferings?
And again Peter's choice of words provides further insight into his message. Generally, when the phrase "partake of" is used, it carries along with it the idea of pleasure or enjoyment, even relish. For instance, while one may simply eat a meal, taking in the nourishment our bodies need, our minds add no embellishment to the words and we imagine only the near mechanical action of fork to mouth. On the other hand, when we partake of a meal, we now seem to be participating in an event, enjoying a social gathering with others who are likewise enjoying themselves. Our mind's eye can picture us savoring each morsel, chatting amiably between bites with our hosts and other guests. This is how I believe Peter meant the words, that we should not only go through the act of suffering our afflictions, but that we should almost relish each trial because in it we are in some small way sharing in the suffering our Lord Jesus experienced during His walk on earth as a man. This suffering gives us a common ground to walk upon with the Son of Man. We cannot literally carry the cross for Christ, but in our suffering we can know some small measure of what He suffered for our sake.
Starting the fourth passage of this letter, Peter said: "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2) This to me is a very interesting passage from which I myself gain two messages. First, I believe Peter is telling us that we can expect to suffer. Suffering is a foregone conclusion. We will face afflictions and trials, if for no other reason than because Christ Himself suffered while in the flesh. And if the Son of God suffered we can expect to do no less ourselves. So this part of the message, to me, confirms the discussion above.
But then the second part of these two verses, beginning with "for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin", seems to convey a deeper meaning, going beyond the fact of suffering to perhaps the cause of suffering. Throughout the New Testament we are cautioned that Satan has been given rule over this world of man for a time, so that he might tempt as many souls as he can from God's loving embrace. God allows this because He wants us to truly love Him, and not what He might be able to give us during our mortal lives. So Satan takes every opportunity to tempt us while in the flesh, offering all manner of physical pleasures and riches. He wants nothing more than for us to sin, and thus to draw us further and further from God until we are lost. If we, in our love for God, resist Satan's temptations, he will increase the pressure. At some point, he will even cause us great pain, with the implied promise that the pain will cease if we just accept him as our lord and turn away from God. I believe Peter is trying to tell us that if we are suffering, it is a sign that we are not sinning but are doing the will of God. If we are doing that which is acceptable in God's sight, we are certainly not doing what Satan wants, so he causes us to suffer. Whether all suffering is caused by Satan or because we are trying our best not to sin, I cannot say. But I do believe Peter is trying to reassure us that our suffering may indeed indicate we are doing the will of God.
One final note, and a personal one at that, is how often Peter begins a discourse using the endearment "Beloved". Remember how the Gospel writers generally described Peter? He was a fisherman, a strong man, what we might call a man's man. His face was surely weathered by many hours upon the sea, facing the wind and sea spray. I see hands rough and calloused from wooden oars and coarse nets, shoulders and chest broadened and strengthened from constantly dragging heavy nets filled with the catch. I watch as this brawny man pulls a sword and strikes at the servant of one who comes to take his Lord and Master away. I hear his frightened yet angry denials of his Christ, three times as foretold. But here is this strong man, this man of action and few words, speaking so softly to his brothers and sisters in far off lands. He immediately lets them know just how much he cherishes them by calling them "Beloved". And as I read his words, in my heart he speaks directly to me and I know I am also his beloved. And by extension, as his words were inspired by Jesus and by God, I know I am beloved of Christ as well.
Rejoice as you partake of our Christ's sufferings. Amen.
