The work of Christ 9 / Example
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
(I Cor.10:31-11:1)
‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me “Teacher” and “Lord”, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
(John 13:12-15)
We saw in an earlier study (4, Christ our Revelation) that suffering is a given for Christian living and thinking. Our culture seek to avoid suffering at all costs, regarding it as an unwelcome intruder, trespassing illegitimately in our lives. Tragically, some distortions of the Christian faith, shaped by this assumption, surmise that God will always seek to protect us from suffering. Should it cast its shadow over our life, we should expect Him to do all He can to remove it from our experience as quickly as possible. Such triumphalism, with its expectation of (usually miraculous) deliverance from suffering in all its forms has little resonance with the life of Jesus, who is lead into testing, suffering and death (Matt.4:1-2; Heb.9:14). The Spirit-filled life is a cross-centred life.
We follow a ‘crucified God’, and the life of discipleship in this present evil age remains ‘cross-shaped’ (Gal.1:4; I Cor.1:23-24). We live in a cursed world (Rom.8:20-21), and becoming a Christian generally increases, rather than diminishes the reality of our suffering. The question facing the Christian is not: how can I avoid suffering (or worse: How can I get God to make sure I avoid suffering)? It is rather: How in the midst of suffering can I honour my Lord who suffered for me? I can only do this because Christ has redeemed (like everything else) our suffering. But in that redemption, we recognise both God’s involvement and purpose (Heb.12:5-13; Job 1-2). So how do we suffer in a way that is faithful to Christ rather than succumbing to sin and temptation? How will we suffer …injustice? …physical and spiritual pain? …hardship and loss? …temptation and testing? Our response in those moments of our greatest suffering reveals the truth of what we are (Lk.6:45). We choose how to respond to suffering. How can we choose to suffer in a way shaped by the example of Jesus?
Part of the answer is found in the realisation that in Christ God is not only suffering for us, but with us, as one of us. Both aspects are critical. In one sense His suffering takes Him beyond anything we are capable of experiencing. We cannot suffer on behalf of another to redeem them; their sin cannot be credited to my account, nor my suffering to theirs (Ps.49:7-9). But in His humanity, and in His suffering as one of us, Christ leaves us an example to follow (I Pet.2:21). To suffer as Christ does cannot be merely an external act. We must learn to ‘have the mind of Christ’ (I Cor.2:16; Phil.2:5). Staggering concept thought it is, we are able to learn how to - in certain respects - think as Christ thought. My own conviction is that the ‘internal dialogue’ of Christ is found predominantly in the Books of Psalms (see most obviously Ps.22, where the whole Psalm, and not just the opening verses, reveal His mind) and Proverbs. Jesus remains our greatest example of humanity - in suffering as in all else. He is always more than that, but never less.
It is not only that our suffering gives us an arena in which we can imitate Him; but also that suffering can be the place where we meet with Christ by His Spirit. In that encounter is our transformation. But Christ is revealed even before our transformation. His presence with us, enabling us to follow His example, becomes apparent to the world in our suffering as His disciples.
This is at least part of what Paul is driving at in II Cor.4:7-12. Our fragility and vulnerability is exposed in the reality of suffering. The Apostle lists out the many agonising facets of his affliction in the cause of Christ: ‘hard pressed … perplexed … persecuted … struck down … carrying around in our body the death of Jesus’. All these have their counterpoint in Christ’s sustaining power, but that is not to say that the suffering does not take its toll. The ‘jar of clay’, brittle and breakable, is shattered in the process. And it is that very act of breaking that seemingly allows the glory of Christ’s presence to shine forth. ‘The life of Jesus is revealed … in our mortal body’ (v.10-11). Hence Paul’s ability to ‘glory in [his] sufferings (Rom.5:3, see also Acts 5:41).
Questions
Does seeing Christ as an example in suffering legitimise a masochistic spirituality such as we see in Flagellants and Ascetics? Why / why not?? Does it mean suffering is (or can be) a good thing in itself?
Under what circumstances should a Christian seek to avoid suffering, and when, if ever, should they embrace it?
Can you think of times in the Bible when God uses suffering for His own ends?
Read I Peter 2:18-25
Do you agree with Peter’s teaching in v.18, that ‘slaves [should] submit themselves to their masters…’?
Why are bearing up ‘under the pain unjust suffering’ (v.19), and enduring suffering for doing good (v.20) both considered ‘commendable’?
What exactly is Peter saying these slaves are ‘called’ to (v.21)? Does this calling extend to all Christians?
In what ways does Jesus provide an example for us to follow? … and in what ways are we unable to follow in His footsteps?
Is Peter calling us to passivity in the face of suffering?
What does it mean to ‘die to sin and live to righteousness’ (v.24)?’
In what sense can I speak about being healed (v.24)?
Am I a failure if I still feel angry or bitter when I suffer injustice? Driscoll, Reconciliation
What does it mean to speak of Jesus as ‘the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls’ (v.25)? How does speaking of Jesus this way strengthen Peter’s teaching?
Memory Passage:
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Eph.4:21-24
For further reflection:
There is a deep vein of reflection on following the example of Christ that believes martyrdom to be highest expression of emulation. Whilst Christ’s death is never explicitly described as ‘martyrdom’ in the Bible (though see use of ‘marturion’ in I Tim.2:6, and ‘martus’ in Rev.1:5), many have seen in His willingness to surrender Himself to the Father’s will, even when that will took Him to the cross, the ultimate pattern and goal for Christian sacrifice. Many have longed, like Peter, to die a death that glorified God (John 21:18-19).
So, as early as 108 AD, Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch wrote to Churches whilst en route to his trial in Rome, pleading with them not to interfere with, let alone avert, his anticipated martyrdom. His desire to literally follow the example of Christ comes out forcefully in his letter to the Romans (4:1-5:3):
I write to all the churches, and I bid all men know, that of my own free will I die for God, unless ye should hinder me … Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my sepulchre and may leave no part of my body behind ... Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not so much as see my body. Supplicate the Lord for me, that through these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God. May I have the joy of the beasts that has been prepared for me; and I pray that I may find them prompt; nay I will entice them that they may devour me promptly, not as they have done to some, refusing to touch them through fear. Yea though of themselves they should not be willing while I am ready, I myself will force them to it. Bear with me. I know what is expedient for me. Now am I beginning to be a disciple … Come fire and cross and grapplings with wild beasts … crushings of my whole body, come cruel tortures of the devil to assail me. Only be it mine to attain unto Jesus Christ.