Christ exemplified vicarious suffering in the crucifixion

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sac­rifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:10-11

INTRODUCTION

The goal of human existence is not to avoid suffering but become godly. Suffering can be redemptive or vicari­ous. Joseph realised his suffering led to blessing his people, so although suffering is not good in and on itself, it may lead to greater good (Genesis 50:15-21). Christ exemplified vicar­ious suffering in the crucifixion. Be­lievers are often called to participate in His suffering.

Another question is, “Why does God allow the righteous to suffer?” The unrighteous do sometimes pros­per, and the righteous sometimes suf­fer. Job was a righteous man but he suffered great disaster. Yet through his suffering, Job continued to serve God (Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”- Job 1:21).

At a national level, Habakkuk asks why God allows an unrighteous nation to defeat a more righteous nation (Lord, are You not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, You will never die. You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgement; You, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do You tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? – Habakkuk 1:12-13).

As believers we should not suffer with resignation but with hope. For through hope in the resurrection, we can endure victoriously, not in defeat or despair. The ultimate solution to suffering comes in heaven. Even amid suffering, Christians experience God’s care. He hears and answers prayers for strength in suffering. However painful suffering is, it is a shadow compared with the glory yet to come. (Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed, we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. – Romans 8:17-18) Suffering should not be received with sadness or defeat, but with rejoicing because it leads to maturity and god­ly character (In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed – I Peter 1:6-7).

The emphasis in 1 Peter Chapters 3 & 4 is on sharing in Christ’s suffer­ing and resting in the promises that come through His victory over sin and death. With Christ’s as our example, we are to foster the same resolve Jesus had in regard to obeying God’s will and loving and serving others. Because of the Holy Spirit’s active presence in our lives, we are empow­ered both to endure suffering and to live for Christ.

1 PETER 3:14-22

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spir­its— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through wa­ter, and this water symbolises bap­tism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand— with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.

1 PETER 4:1-19

Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detest­able idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are bless­ed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgement to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righ­teous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

So then, those who suffer accord­ing to God’s will should commit them­selves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Stay blessed!

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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author