Deeper Life #82

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

—1 Peter 2:23

EVERY PERSON WHO SUFFERS CAN measure, according to the depths of his own suffering, the sublimity and divinity of our Lord—who, when He suffered, “threatened not.” Jesus did not retaliate or make threats toward the person or group who caused Him to suffer.

Jesus did not suffer because He was a wrongdoer. Oftentimes you and I have. One who suffers as a wrongdoer often responds in rancorous spite and with threats. Suffering, when the heart knows nothing of trust in God nor love for Him, is damning, not saving; it will respond in venomous threats and evil deeds.

Sarcasm, cynicism, slander, murder, war, and lawsuits spring from suffering—which springs from wrongdoing and a wrong temper.

Suffering is the heritage of the bad, the penitent, and the sons of God. All end at the Cross. The bad thief was crucified, the penitent thief was crucified, and the Son of God was crucified. All three represent the widespread history of suffering in our world.

In the cruel fire of sorrow,

Cast thy heart, do not faint or wail!

Let thy hand be firm and steady,

Do not let thy spirit quail!

But wait till the trial is over,

And take thy heart again;

For as gold is tried in fire,

So a heart must be tried by pain.

Prayer Thought: When I suffer, Lord, I want to suffer like You—without retaliation or a rancorous spirit.

SUGGESTED READING: ¹⁸Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. ¹⁹For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. ²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²²Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ²³Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: ²⁴Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. ²⁵For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

—1 Peter 2:18–25