Remember His purity of character.
First Peter 2:21 reveals that Christ provided an
example for His people, “for you to follow in His
steps” while suffering. The following verses point
to His avoidance of sin, particularly sins of speech.
He did not deceive, revile, or threaten.
We know the temptation to be angry or to lash
out with belittling sarcasm toward those who hurt
us. In our day, it is all too common for Christians
to mock and demean public figures who oppose
Biblical positions and Christian doctrine. It is
common, but it is not Christlike. Let us pray that
God would help us endure hardship with the
purity of Christ, remembering that the gentle
(not the sharp or quick-witted) will inherit the
earth (see Matthew 5:5).
Remember His trust in the Father.
The same passage in 1 Peter 2 says that instead
of threatening others He “kept entrusting Himself
to Him who judges righteously” (2:23).
We often feel pressure to “straighten people out”
or “make things turn out” the right way, as if
everything depended on our power or ingenuity!
Unfortunately, that burden can lead us to be
manipulative and controlling toward others. Let
us pray that God would help us endure hardship
with the faith of Christ, remembering that the
Righteous Judge will perfectly settle all accounts.
Remember His expectation of joy.
Our Lord endured the cross “for the joy set before
Him” (Hebrews 12:2). He looked forward to taking
His place at the right hand of His Father, exalted
over all. Much of His joy must have come from
His confidence that the reward for His suffering
would include sinners from every nation gathered
around His throne forever, praising the Lamb
Who was slain. As a result of His sacrifice, He
would “see His offspring” (Isaiah 53:10) and “be
satisfied” (53:11).
If we know Jesus, we are part of His reward. Let
that truth stir us to follow Him into suffering for
His sake. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and
dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much
fruit” (John 12:24). Do we understand what it will
take to reach some places with the Gospel? Let
us pray that God would help us endure hardship
with the joyful anticipation that Jesus Himself
possessed, remembering the fruit that God will
produce through our self-denying suffering for
His glory.
JESUS CHRIST AS THE
ULTIMATE EXAMPLE
BY JON CROCKER
“Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:8). After using the images of a soldier,
an athlete, and a farmer to motivate Timothy to endure suffering for
Christ’s sake, Paul calls on his son in the faith to fix his heart on
Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:3 gives us a parallel command
to consider the endurance of Jesus in suffering, “so that
you [we] will not grow weary and lose heart.” Let’s
examine a few prayer requests from passages about our
Lord’s suffering. May the Lord answer these prayers to
help us endure hardship. Remember Jesus Christ!