5 Kingdom Principles in Jesus’ Example for Suffering Christians

Yesterday we recalled that Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33).  He sure didn’t do it the world’s way. His way reflected Kingdom vision and despite temptations, Jesus set before us the way of the Cross. 

In the temptations of Jesus recorded in Matthew 4, we see several kinds of suffering and temptations to deal with it the world’s way.

• Are you hungry?  The tempter says to ignore God’s ability to provide. Do whatever it takes to satisfy yourself.  (Matthew 4:1-4)
• Does no one see who you really are?  Do you want a better reputation?  The tempter says to climb your way to the top.  Show off and make a name for yourself. (Matthew 4:5-7)
• Are you impoverished?  Do you want more power and economic justice?  Does someone flaunt possessions or power over you?  Are you envious?  The tempter says to take what you want, go for it, and even sacrifice what you know is right to make a name for yourself. (Matthew 4:8-10)

Jesus didn’t buy all that self-satisfaction because He already had a Name and had Kingdom vision.  And Kingdom vision applies no matter what kind of suffering we’re going through.  It’s Kingdom vision that I want to establish as being paramount in our dealing with everything from injustice to illness, anger to adversity, and prejudice to persecution and every other kind of suffering you might imagine.  It’s Kingdom vision that Jesus had.  It’s Kingdom vision that we need as our Christian Guide to Overcoming Suffering.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”  When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

What’s included in Kingdom vision of suffering?

1. Kingdom expectations; 1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
2. Kingdom perspective; leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
3. Kingdom actions; 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
4. Kingdom time frame; 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate;
5. Kingdom power; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Expectations:  Jesus tells us time and again that in this world we will have troubles.  Peter reminds us that suffering (even though we are doing good things) is to be expected; it’s not something strange that’s happening.

Perspective: When we expect to face troubles because we follow a Savior who faced our troubles for us and who set an example for us to follow, we can have the same perspective, adopt the same actions, be on the same time frame, and trust in the same power Jesus trusted.

Actions:  Here is one of the keys for people who are doers by nature.  We cannot do what our flesh tells us to do.  We must rise above.  Our actions must reflect the Christian way and not the world’s way of dealing with things.

Time Frame:  This is where so many of us fall short in having the kind of Kingdom vision God wants as our Christian Guide to Overcoming.  We want results and we want them now.  We don’t want to stand in the place of discomfort or suffering.

Kingdom Power: So to the final step exemplified by Christ involves entrusting ourselves to the One who judges justly.  Yes, it is hard to let go of our ideas of justice and our ideas of vindication and let God do what only God can reasonably do: Be the Perfect Ultimate Judge.

Yes, when we have Kingdom vision like Jesus—when we follow in His steps—we can overcome the sufferings of life.  Over the next few posts we’ll see how Kingdom vision specifically applies to what you may be going through.  But for today, it’s enough to remember that Kingdom vision like Jesus had is better by far than the world’s way.  It is our Christian Guide to Overcoming.