Peter Persecuted
Last week, we came to the end of our series following the life of the Apostle Peter. We considered his calling, confession, failures, restoration, preaching and his revelation that the gospel is for all peoples. Peter's story reminds us that following Jesus has never been the easy path. He experienced opposition because of his faith; arrested for preaching Christ (Acts 4), threatened and flogged (Acts 5). Tradition tells us that Peter was eventually martyred in Rome under the Emperor Nero. The man who once trembled before the questions of a servant girl became a courageous witness who would not deny his Lord again.
In his letters, Peter does not write with bitterness, resentment or self-pity. Instead, he repeatedly points believers to follow Christ, even into suffering. He reminds us that suffering is neither strange nor meaningless: "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you" (1 Peter 4:12). We are to bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because we are conscious of God. (1 Peter 2:19) “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
Peter calls us, not to panic, but to persevere. Rather than retaliate, lashing out with violence in anger or fear, we are to love and heal (Luke 22:50-51). Rather than despair at failure or threat, Peter points us to the living hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter presents this pattern: expect persecution, endure persecution, entrust yourself to God through persecution. Our confidence rests not in comfortable circumstances but in the faithful Saviour who Himself suffered, died and rose again.
Christians experience ridicule, rejection, misunderstanding or pressure to remain silent about Christ. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ endure great hardship - discrimination, violence, imprisonment and death - because they belong to Jesus. Christian Solidarity Worldwide is one of the charities which helps us understand something of the reality facing persecuted Christians today. They remind us that we belong to one global family. When one part of the body suffers, we all suffer with it.
May Peter's example encourage us to display courage instead of compromise, conviction instead of cowardice, and compassion instead of contempt. Let us pray faithfully for those who suffer greatly, stand firmly in our own witness, and remember Peter's wonderful encouragement: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). May Christ’s church be faithful in trials, fearless in testimony, and full of hope, whatever challenges may come our way.
Revd Michael Hogg