In Your Suffering
Notes
Transcript
When coming to this text in 1 Peter, the wise and learned reformer, Martin Luther had this to say:
“A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage than any other in the [New] Testament…I do not know for a certainty what Peter means…I cannot understand and I cannot explain it. And there has been no one who has explained it.”
A lot of people have tried to explain this. I think I’ve read all of their explanations over the last few weeks (probably not, but I’ve read a lot and I’m just as confused as they are).
Wayne Grudem says, “The meaning of this is much disputed.”
Edmund Clowney, who is generally a big help to me, writes, “Peter’s words were no doubt clear to those who first heard them, but they have been hard for later generations to understand.”
Brilliant scholar, Karen Jobes says, “Different answers to each of [the many] questions can be found, resulting in a labyrinth of exegetical options, each of which has no clear overwhelming claim to certainty, with one calculating 180 different exegetical combinations, in theory.”
So, there’s that. How’s that for an introduction to a sermon? No one can explain with certainty what Peter means here.
There are a ton of different views here. Several tons. A kiloton, megaton, gigaton of differing views by the most educated people who have ever lived.
So I, as a comparatively uneducated pastor, will NOT be so proud to say, “Well, this is what this means. I figured it out. I know exactly was Peter was trying to say.”
As it is, I’m with Martin Luther. I do not know for certain what this means.
I humbly submit that we can’t know exactly, and that we have to leave room for various views on some of the questions this text leaves us.
But we can understand, in general, what Peter wants his readers to understand.
This is what reading in context gets us. To pull a sentence or paragraph out the middle of any book or letter or movie or conversation will likely lead to misunderstanding.
So we look at the whole of what Peter has been writing.
In 1 Peter 3:17, Peter calls Christians to suffer if that’s God’s will for them.
17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Sometimes, it is God’s will that we suffer for doing what is right. This is not an easy truth to hear.
But then Peter quickly follows up the idea that we might suffer for doing what is right with the wonderful truth that Christ suffered once for sins.
If Christ, who did no wrong and was fully obedient to God, suffered, we should rightly expect suffering. We must prepare to suffer.
This confusing section of Peter’s letter is teaching its readers to suffer well, to prepare to suffer.
What follows this passage is 1 Peter 4:1
1 Peter 4:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
Our attitude should be to suffer for doing what is right, like Christ did.
Our text for this morning is sandwiched between verses that help explain it.
“Get ready to suffer for doing what is right if that’s God’s will. Arm yourself with the same attitude Jesus had.”
Let’s look now at our text for this morning. Whatever else it might be teaching, wherever we might land on the confusing parts, it’s teaching us about Christian suffering.
If you have your Bible (and I hope you do), please turn with me to 1 Peter 3. If you are able and willing, please stand for the reading of God’s Holy Word:
18 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. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—20 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, 21 and this water symbolizes 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, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Holy Word!
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Peter is preparing his readers to suffer. Suffering and Christianity go hand-in-hand. Peter doesn’t have to explain this to his first readers; they were well-acquainted with suffering. They knew all about suffering. Suffering and these early Christians were tight. Suffering was their constant companion.
Peter didn’t have to explain to his early readers that they would suffer; they fully understood.
We, on the other hand, may not equate Christianity and suffering. I think maybe we’ve heard too many people promise “your best life now” and how living for Jesus “makes everything better.”
Beware any teaching or preaching that doesn’t prepare God’s people to suffer, any teaching or preaching that doesn’t make clear how much suffering is part of the Christian life. That preaching/teaching only ends up doing harm.
It’s harmful, because every believer in Christ is going to suffer.
Peter is preparing his readers to suffer.
This passage, confusing as it is, teaches us something about suffering and how we can prepare ourselves to suffer well.
Christian,
In Your Suffering, Remember Jesus Suffered and Triumphed (vv. 18-19)
In Your Suffering, Remember Jesus Suffered and Triumphed (vv. 18-19)
We looked at verse 18 last week (what I believe is one of the most important verses in the entire Bible). We saw the great truth that Jesus suffered once for sin.
Peter ties the suffering his readers may and/or will face to the suffering of Jesus. “You may suffer for doing good…Christ also suffered.”
We should readily embrace undeserved suffering because “Christ also suffered” in this way (and Him, to a much greater degree).
Whatever we suffer—and for some of you, it’s a lot; a ton of suffering, a gigaton of suffering—whatever we suffer, we should find in Christ’s atoning sacrifice an incentive to bear up under the oppressive persecution of the non-Christian world.
There is some good news as we suffer as a result of living in this fallen world. And that’s that Jesus has suffered; He can sympathize with us. We have a Savior, a High Priest who understands the pain of whatever we’re experiencing.
Even more, Peter wants his readers to understand that Jesus didn’t just suffer. Jesus suffered but then triumphed!
Jesus was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit! This last part of verse 18 transitions to Peter’s focus on Christ’s “triumphant defeat of all enemies, as seen in His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation to the right hand of God.”
Jesus brings us to God by His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension.
Christ has triumphed over our enemies—sin and death—and has brought us safely to God.
When we read in God’s Holy Word that suffering is part of the Christian life, you might wonder, as Piper does:
"Why would anyone become a Christian if what you could offer them was that things in this world would probably go worse for them and that their lives would be at risk?"
The answer is: the greatest human needs are not comfort and a long life.
Our greatest need is to have our sins forgiven and to deal with our separation from God. It’s 10,000 times more important to be right with God than it is to be comfortable for the 80 or 90 or 130 years we have here.
In our suffering, we need to remember Jesus’ suffering and His triumph. This extends to what Peter says in verse 19.
19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—
After being made alive, or in this state [Jesus] went.
This is where the confusion of this passage starts to take shape.
Where did Jesus go? To whom did He go? Why did He go? These and a thousand other questions are asked and answers are attempted.
If you have 15-20 hours, you could follow Alice and venture down the rabbit hole and explore all the thoughts and ideas and opinions about this passage.
We don’t have 15-20 hours for me to describe all the theories and thoughts, so I’ll try to distill them.
The verb “went” is, according to Sam Storms, crucial for the proper interpretation of this passage. There is nothing in the verb suggesting the idea of a “descent” into hell (contrary to some beliefs/creeds of the church).
"Went” is used in verse 22, where it describes the ascension of the risen Christ who went or has gone into heaven.
Verse 19 and verse 22 are describing the same event; that is, the ascension and exaltation of the Risen Jesus.
So, when Jesus went, He didn’t descend anywhere. Jesus’ proclamation occured in His risen/exalted state.
In verse 19, Peter says Jesus went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.
Who are they? There are three primary competing views.
“Spirits”, some believe, refers to the spirits of human beings. But the word for “spirit” elsewhere doesn’t refer to human beings unless it’s followed by “of the dead” (spirits of the dead).
Many have understood the text to refer to Christ’s preaching through Noah to those who lived while Noah was building the ark. Christ speaking by way of the Holy Spirit through Noah.
The majority view is that the text describes Jesus’ proclamation of victory and judgment over evil spirits, those imprisoned because of their sin.
As I understand it then, this passage doesn’t teach that Jesus went and rescued OT saints or offered salvation to those who refused to repent during their lives on earth. On the contrary, the Risen Jesus is announcing His victory over evil, angelic powers.
Jesus proclaims victory over demonic spirits after His death and resurrection. Jesus proclaimed His triumph to the demonic authorities and powers that all were subjected to Him.
To those who were suffering persecution, Peter lets them know they might be called to endure a great deal of suffering.
R.T. France comments: “But even then [Peter’s early Christian readers] could be assured that their pagan opponents and the spiritual powers of evil working with them…were not outside Christ’s control. They were already defeated, awaiting final punishment. Christ had openly triumphed over them. Here is real comfort and strength for a persecuted and suffering church.”
In your suffering, remember that Jesus suffered. You, too, will almost certainly suffer. But remember this: Jesus triumphed over all the forces of evil; and His triumph is our triumph!
Christian,
In Your Suffering, Think About Noah and Baptism (vv. 20-21)
In Your Suffering, Think About Noah and Baptism (vv. 20-21)
In the days of Noah, there were many who were disobedient to God. In fact, only 8 people survived. Noah, his three sons (Ham, Shem, and Japheth), and their wives: Mrs. Noah, Mrs. Ham, Mrs. Shem, and Mrs. Japheth.
God is patient. His patience with the people lasted for the duration of the time it took Noah to build the ark (120 years). This was an opportunity for people to repent; we aren’t told anyone did.
I can’t help but ask here if you, friend, have repented of your sin and self-righteousness and bowed to Jesus, trusting Him for salvation.
As He was in Noah’s day, God is patient. Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
God’s patience and kindness is the reality…for now…that you would turn from your sin and your self and give your life to Jesus.
Don’t be like the people in Noah’s day.
Only 8 were saved. Only a few. Matthew 7:14 “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
In their suffering, Peter’s first readers were to consider how they were like Noah and Noah’s family. Just a small number of people surrounded by a multitude of people who mistreated them.
The smallness of their group is not meant to be discouraging. God eventually rescued Noah and his family; God will rescue His church. We need to trust and persevere.
Peter jumps from Noah right to baptism, rather interestingly.
The flood waters that brought judgment on the world in Noah’s day somehow reminds Peter of baptism (v. 21).
Verse 18 is, without question, the central verse of this passage (and the whole letter) and it says Christ suffered for sins and brought us to God.
In other words, Jesus Christ saves us.
Baptism, Peter says, “saves” because it’s connected to Jesus. It’s not the act of baptism (the removal of dirt from the body), but the appeal of baptism (the pledge of a clear conscience toward God).
Tom Schreiner helps us when he writes:
“The statement about the removal of dirt is made so that believers will not understand baptism mechanically or superficially. They must attend to what is really happening in baptism…believers at baptism ask God—on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus—to cleanse their consciences and forgive their sins.”
It’s not the outward act of baptism; it’s the inward appeal to God for cleansing.
Baptism is an expression of faith; it is an appeal of faith, a pledge of faith.
It’s faith that saves, it’s always been faith that saves. Faith in the crucified and risen Savior.
How does this help us in our suffering?
When we go through the water of baptism, we pass through death and judgment. We’ve been buried with Christ. And we’ve been raised to new life, to share in Jesus’ resurrection.
By faith in Jesus, we’ve passed from death to life. Judgment is past. As such, any suffering we experience cannot be the condemnation of God; that was already experienced for us by Jesus.
We are, like Noah and family, a small minority in this world. Peter is encouraging his readers by reminding them what their baptism means.
By being baptized, they are marked out as God’s chosen few, who, like Noah and his family, will be saved even when all those around them mock and slander.
We are outnumbered, but we aren’t overpowered. We are hard-pressed, but we aren’t destroyed. Jesus will see us safely through. Our faith is in Him.
And though we suffer, we do not suffer without hope and assurance. We suffer as those who have be united with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Even in our suffering, we stand in Jesus’ victory—the victory Jesus achieved by his death and resurrection and exaltation above all earthly powers.
When you suffer, think about these things: about what Jesus has done for you and how you are united to and saved by Him.
Brothers and Sisters,
In Your Suffering, Don’t forget Where Jesus Is (v. 22)
In Your Suffering, Don’t forget Where Jesus Is (v. 22)
The resurrection of Jesus brings us back to the center of this passage, the victory of Jesus over His enemies.
Jesus has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to Him.
Jesus has triumphed over demonic powers. And He is now seated with God where He is ruling now.
1 The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
Jesus is, at this moment, ruling and reigning over all. In our suffering, Jesus still rules and reigns. Jesus has not surrendered believers into the power of evil forces. Jesus will never do that.
Jesus has triumphed.
We must, we absolutely MUST remember where Jesus is.
It’s good to know who Jesus is.
It’s important to understand what Jesus has done.
But we can’t forget WHERE Jesus is.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Where is Jesus, brothers and sisters?
Jesus is, at this moment, in heaven at God’s right hand. All His enemies are underneath His feet. They are His footstool. They are defeated and their time is short.
We may suffer for a time. We will suffer here and now. Peter is here, by the Holy Spirit, reminding us of some deeply meaningful truths to hold onto in our suffering.
In your suffering, remember Jesus suffered in your place and has triumphed over all the forces of evil.
In your suffering, think about Noah’s faith and trust in what God said. We who have put our faith in Him have passed through the waters of judgment and have united ourselves to Him.
In your suffering, don’t ever forget where Jesus is; He is over all things and He is praying for you.