1135. Peter and the Ministry of Suffering
Peter and the Ministry of Suffering
The "Needs Be" of Suffering (1Pe_1:6).
The Now of Suffering (1Pe_1:6).
The Novelty in Suffering (1Pe_4:14).
The Nobility in Suffering (1Pe_4:14).
The Nestling of the Sufferer (1Pe_5:7).
The New Vision of Suffering (1Pe_1:7).
The Note of Glory in Suffering (1Pe_5:10).
This is our second lesson upon the ministry of suffering, but it meets an important need. There is so much which the Holy Spirit presents through Peter which is applicable to us to-day that nothing considered will seem decadent in its message. This is one of the marvels of the whole Word of God as well as of Peter's Epistles. It never grows old. The message that met the need of the first century, just as fully meets the need of the twentieth century.
A remarkable experience which Peter passed through forms a basis for Peter's messages on suffering.
Peter once said: "Though all men deny Thee, yet will not I."
Christ reminded Peter; "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice." This Peter did. Thrice before a maid he denied his Lord.
After Christ's resurrection we remember "the coals of fire," and "the broiled fish." We remember how Christ thrice asked Peter concerning his love to Him; and, at last, how He restored unto Peter his work, saying, "Feed My sheep, feed My lambs." Then it was that the Lord said to Peter, "When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shalt gird thee, and carry thee, whither thou wouldest not." Christ spake these words concerning the death by which Peter should glorify God.
Thus Peter was equipped that he might be used of the Spirit to strengthen his brethren. On one occasion Peter had said unto Christ, "Pity Thyself, Lord, This shall not be unto Thee." Immediately Christ said, "Get thee behind Me satan, thou art an offense unto Me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Then Christ told Peter, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Thus Peter was instructed concerning sufferings in daily cross-bearing. After the resurrection of Christ and restoration of Peter, the Lord gave Peter his final message as to his own cross. But Peter always found strength, encouragement and help in the Risen Lord. It was this same Peter who suffered for Christ through whom the Holy Ghost gave a precious message concerning the ministry of suffering.
Let us who study this message gird up our loins and press forward in the expectation of the revelation of our Lord. Let us confess ourselves strangers and pilgrims journeying toward another city which will be filled with the glory of the Lord.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR