“Life is difficult.” So begins M. Scott Peck’s famous 1978 book on the human experience. He set the tone with those three words: life is difficult. We will all face difficulties. So we should give thought to how we will respond in the face of adversity.
Plenty of people out there will offer us shortcuts designed to bypass life difficulties. Gurus and hucksters know how to prey on our insecurities. Marketers will promise to put us on easy street (for a price). And there are illicit drugs that will make you forget your problems (also for a price).
But real life is still difficult, sometimes extremely difficult. And how very difficult live has been lately during this time of the corona-virus. What we really need is a guide. We need someone who can help us navigate those difficulties, someone who has been there before. And though parts of life might still be very difficult, we would not feel alone as long as we have our guide.
We need someone to show us what it looks like to be faithful even in the face of suffering. If we can follow that example, then God might even see our perseverance. And others might even be inspired to follow our guide.
You know where this is going. Jesus Christ is that guide. In him God experienced human life with its high points and its low points. But “he committed no sin, nor did he ever speak in ways meant to deceive. When he was insulted, he did not reply with insults. When he suffered, he did not threaten revenge” (1 Peter 2:22-23).
Because “he left you an example so that you might follow in his footsteps,” we can also endure life’s difficulties while we hold onto the hope that is life abundant and eternal with Jesus (1 Peter 2:21). And if we will follow him, doing good and suffering for it, “this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20).
Have you ever looked back on a past difficulty in your life and actually been grateful for having had the experience? Certainly some people have gone through an atrocity that has no redeeming purpose. But there are lots of everyday struggles that cause us to grow, not only as maturing human beings but as Christians.
The writer of 1 Peter wants us to know that we have even been called to endure suffering “because Christ suffered on [our] behalf” (1 Peter 2:21). Following Jesus means that we will experience a certain amount of loss, frustration, and turmoil. But God has given Jesus as our forerunner and Jesus has shown us how to endure.
In the meantime, 1 Peter 2:22-23 tells us what we should do now. We should not return slander for slander. Remember Mark 14:53-61 when Jesus did not respond to the false accusations thrown at him? Or Mark 15:19 in which Jesus remained silent before his tormentors? He did not give in to their illegitimate criticisms or questioning. Sometimes Jesus let his example speak for itself.
The good news is that — by following Jesus’ teachings and ways — we “have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your lives” (1 Peter 2:25).
Though life will still be difficult, we have Jesus Christ as our shepherd who suffered not only as an example but also on our behalf.