Romans 12:21 - Jesus Is Our Example

Today, Tuesday March 30 Jesus Is Our Example Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Probable the most difficult issue we have to face and deal with in life is suffering. There is physical suffering, emotional suffering, mental suffering and sometimes a suffering that is so deep in our souls we could never share or explain it to anyone. When a person is abused or violated physically, sexually or even mentally, as so many are in our world today, their suffering is deeply personal and they can feel that no one really understands the pain they feel. The scripture gives us story after story of people who suffered. But the greatest story of all is the suffering of Jesus who absolutely did not deserve to suffer! And the Bible assures us that Jesus suffered for several reasons. The first reason is that Jesus was suffering to pay the price for our sins. He suffered as He took the punishment we deserved. I’ve often thought that the greatest hurt or pain we can face, is the sense of total rejection from those we thought loved us the most. Jesus was forsaken by His own Father on the cross! Jesus also suffered so that He might identify with our suffering. Hebrews 2:17-18 “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” And Jesus also suffered to give us an example on how to deal with suffering. I want to leave you today with the words of Peter who experienced firsthand the sufferings of Christ. These word speak for themselves. 1 Peter 2:20-25  “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” God bless!