Called to Suffer?

“One item more must be mentioned, which seems the hardest step of all.”

“For hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow in His steps.”

“We shrink from suffering of every kind and under all circumstances. It is something that we naturally shun and from which we would fain be delivered. And when we think of Christ as our deliverer, we readily accept the thought that suffering is the evil from which He came to deliver us. We are therefore apt to be offended at such statements as those in our text, that we have a special calling as regards suffering. "

“But instead of giving way to rash murmurings, let us devoutly seek to understand the admonition, that we may humbly heed it and follow our dear Saviour’s steps. He did come to deliver us from all sin and suffering; He took all our iniquities and their wages upon Himself, and by His stripes we are healed. "

“But He has the merciful plan of making His salvation known to all the world, and when He has saved us He wants to employ us as workers together with Him to save others. For this purpose He lets us live here a while yet before He takes us to our everlasting home, where sin and suffering can never come. Meantime we live and work in a world that is full of sin and suffering. Here we must share it for a little while yet. We can escape it only by being taken out of the world, which will be as soon as our blessed Lord thinks best. Here the wicked do not cease from troubling. Hence our calling is to follow the Master, being dead to sin and living unto righteousness, and suffer patiently the buffets of the world, as He patiently suffered for us, "

“…leaving us an example that we should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”

“You say that it is hard to be quiet and bear patiently, especially when you suffer wrongfully, as you often must. It is so, for the flesh would rather take revenge, and must be crucified. But think of what the Saviour suffered for you, that you might live in Him. Ye are returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls: now follow Him by way of the cross to glory. Amen.”

From: Loy, Matthias. Sermons on the Epistles For the Sundays and Chief Festivals of the Church Year. Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern. 1900. LutheranLibrary.org