Be Resolute
I’ve called this series of features “To Be Like Jesus” because the Bible encourages us to model our lives on His. Today, we’re considering one of the passages that does this. In 1 Peter 2, we read: “But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.” (See 1 Peter 2:20-25)
Jesus suffered in both body and soul. Just now, I’m thinking about the emotional or soul aspect of His suffering. I’ll remind you of some of the ways in which Jesus experienced the deepest possible psychological stress.
Luke 13 records a situation in which Jesus responded to being rejected by those He came to reconcile to God. He cried out to the city of Jerusalem: “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (See Luke 13:34) Imagine Jesus’ inner distress as the inhabitants of the city rejected Him and His message. Rejection is always painful.
Another occasion of emotional and spiritual turmoil is recorded in Luke 22. In the garden of Gethsemane, as He anticipated the break in fellowship between Himself and His Father, the distress in His soul manifested itself in physical symptoms. Mentioned specifically was profuse sweating which, the Bible tells us, was like great drops of blood. (See Luke 22:44)
As the hour of His death approached, Jesus’ disciples dozed while He agonized in prayer about what was about to happen. Then, when the mob from the temple arrested Him, His disciples, His closest friends, abandoned Him. Abandonment by those we love and have counted on is heartbreaking. (See Mark 14)
Yet in all of this, Jesus remained resolute. He did not turn away from His determination to do His Father’s will, no matter the cost. He did not resort, as we often do when emotionally pressed, to some kind of sinful response, like deception, or insulting or threatening those who were causing His distress. Even though He shuddered to contemplate His separation from God for our sin, He said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Thus He committed Himself to God, the righteous judge.
As we seek to be like Jesus, we also must be resolute, unhesitating in following God’s purpose for us. We follow His example of remaining true to God, avoiding hateful responses to our tormentors. In keeping with His own teaching, He loved and forgave them even as He was crucified. Regardless of the emotional turmoil we experience, we remain unwavering in our commitment to be like Jesus, even in the face of persecution.
