Journey Through 1 Peter
In the United States, we know very little about real persecution. Yet, around the world, at this very present hour, millions of believers are suffering and even dying for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have suffered for your faith. Yet, this is nothing new. Persecution has always been connected with the gospel. The Epistles of 1 and 2 Peter were written to persecuted believers, Hebrew Christians. These Jews had been dispersed because of persecution. A journey through 1 Peter teaches us how to live in times like these.
Listen: Journeying through 1 Peter
Overview of 1 Peter
The Apostle Peter is the person writing to these persecuted believers. In many regards, 1 and 2 Peter are end-time books. They deal with how to live in light of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. I believe the nearer we draw to the return of Christ, the more persecution believers will face. Expect it. Do not be surprised at it. Yet, God has given us two beautiful books in the New Testament to explain how to live in victory in the midst of persecution.
The Apostle Peter
The New Testament gives more biographical information on Peter than on any other apostle. There is no other Peter mentioned in the New Testament. That is unique. He heads the list of all the apostles in every gospel account.
- He was the first to confess Christ as the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16)
- He was the first disciple to enter into Christ’s empty tomb. (Luke 24:12)
- He was the first disciple to be called by name by Christ after His resurrection (John 21:15)
- He is referenced 210 times in the New Testament.
Peter knew something about persecution. He understood a great deal about the sufferings of Christ and the sufferings of Christians. As a matter of fact, He wrote these letters during Nero’s persecution. History records that Peter was executed by Nero shortly after writing these letters. According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down. It is believed he asked for this as he was “not worthy to be put to death in the same manner as my Master.” So, they crucified him upside down. This is a man who understood what he was writing about.
The Theme of 1 Peter
The great theme of the book is triumph through trials. You might say, “I thought you said 1 Peter was about suffering.” It is. The word ‘suffer’ is used fifteen times in this book, and yet, it is not just about suffering; it is about triumph through trials. We must steward our trials when we face them. The common thread that is woven through each chapter is the sufferings of Christ. It is not just our suffering, it is His suffering.
If you suffer for the gospel’s sake, you are suffering for Christ’s sake. You are a partaker of His suffering (1 Peter 4:13). As surely as Jesus suffered, He also triumphed. If you share in His suffering, you share in His victory. Praise God for that!
Key Verses of 1 Peter
There are two major sections found in this book. Each of them contains a key portion of Scripture. I would like to point out to both of them. The first is found in 1 Peter 1:6-9:
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
One of the things I love about this passage is that, though he talks about trial and tribulation, though there is struggle and strain, there is a note of joy. My friend, you can be happy in Jesus today, no matter what you are dealing with, no matter what you are going through.
The second passage is found in 1 Peter 4:12-13. See if it sounds familiar:
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
Again, there are trials, but there is triumph; there is suffering, but there is consolation; there is pain, but there is victory in the end. It is not about our suffering, it is about Christ’s suffering. It is not about our trouble, it is about the Lord’s grief and the glory to follow.
Outline of 1 Peter
You see this great progression as you walk through the book.
In 1 Peter 1, we see the sufferings of Christ and what they brought. What did they bring? The sufferings of Christ brought hope — hope for the hard times. Calvary brought hope; the cross brought hope. And so, if there is suffering, there is hope connected to that suffering.
In 1 Peter 2, we read of the sufferings of Christ and what we bear. We do bear reproach. We do bear certain troubles and heartaches, but we bear them with Christ.
In 1 Peter 3, it is the sufferings of Christ and how we are to behave. He shows us how to behave at home, how to behave in the church, and how to behave in the world. One of the dangers amid the struggle and suffering, if we are not careful, is that we forget people are watching our lives. Our life is to exhibit the beautiful grace of God, even under intense pressure.
In 1 Peter 4, he addresses the sufferings of Christ and what we believe. Your faith is what will bring you through whatever you are dealing with today. Look to the Lord. Root yourself in Christ and Christ alone.
Finally, in 1 Peter 5, he ends with the sufferings of Christ and what we will be. Glory is coming. Something you have never known before. You will be with the Lord. In light of that, Peter challenges every Christian and every Christian leader to be what they ought to be for Christ in the midst of suffering, in the midst of struggle, in the midst of great persecution. Be a faithful Christian. Live the Christian life because there is glory to follow.
The Suffering Savior
The Book of 1 Peter reveals Jesus Christ as the Suffering Savior. The Bible declares in 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Charles Sheldon’s classic book, In His Steps, tells a beautiful story. People think, “Well, if you follow in His steps, it is all victory, it is all blessing.” While there is victory and blessing, if you follow in His steps, you must go through Calvary. And that, before you get to the empty tomb, there is a cross.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Yes, there is suffering, but there is glory to follow. Just as Christ suffered, He then rose from the dead and is alive forevermore, and has ascended and reigns eternally. My friend, whatever cross He calls on you to pick up today, whatever self-denial, whatever persecution you must endure, be very sure of this: the same Christ who suffered that grief also received glory. And that same Christ is going to make you a partaker of the glory that is to follow.
The End is Coming
Remember, 1 Peter is an end-time book. We are living at the end of this age, not the beginning of it. The church age is drawing to a close. The age of the spirit is leading to the revelation of Jesus Christ. Someday, your eyes are going to behold the Suffering Savior coming in all of His glory.
The hymn writer said, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” And whatever you’re dealing with today, just remind yourself of this. This is not the end. The end is coming, and it is going to be worth it all when you see Jesus.
