Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. The preaching of Paul and Barnabas to the Christians at Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch remains true today to the Christians at Momence. The kind of tribulation that Paul, Barnabas, and even Peter have in mind is not the general load of suffering that is laid on the human race because of sin. These men speak about holy suffering, also known as tribulation, which the Christian faith brings with it.
You need not look further than Jesus’ birth for earthly tribulation. Not long after Jesus is born, He must flee Egypt with Mary and Joseph to avoid being martyred with the Holy Innocents. He must make the long journey out of Egypt to Nazareth in Galilee. Jesus is familiar with suffering, for He is a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
The hostile spirit of the world that vexed Christians has not died. Satan still lives. Christians are still accustomed to the sinful flesh. Peter’s words, though, are the antidote to tribulation, especially the last verse of today’s Epistle: let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Today’s Epistle is a word of comfort. Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. The mystery of the cross, the mystery of Christian affliction, is something strange to the flesh. Peter knows what he’s saying. Before he understood tribulation, he took Jesus aside and rebuked Him concerning our Lord’s upcoming suffering. He tells Jesus, Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you. Jesus’ fiery trial had to happen for Peter’s sake and for your sake.
Tribulation is strange to the flesh when it becomes a fiery trial. We are blessed as citizens of the United States of America that we haven’t had to endure a fiery trial for our faith. That day may come, and sooner than we think. Nevertheless, some of those who have gone before us in the faith have had to suffer many a fiery trial. Here we recall the first Christians, the faithful stuck in the Papacy during the Reformation, and other times when a clear confession of Jesus Christ and Him crucified cost people their lives.
Yet this tribulation is not really strange at all. Your faith, your life, your patience, and your hope must be proven and tried as Malachi says: [The Lord] will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and as the Psalmist says in Psalm 66: For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. As precious metals are purified in a hot fire, so will your life be purified through much tribulation this side of Paradise.
Do not be surprised. Rather, rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. You suffer with Christ. Consider how the disciples felt after they were told to stop preaching the Gospel. They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. It is still an honor and privilege to suffer tribulation for the sake of Christ as they did. Tribulation is the sign of innermost communion with Jesus, just as He says in the Beatitudes: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Should you suffer tribulation to the point of death, you will be raised for glory with Jesus. Temporal tribulation is traded for eternal joy and gladness. Rejoice and be glad, Jesus says, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Christ still does great things for those who suffer here for His sake. Peter says, the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. The Holy Spirit comforts, strengthens, restores, and pleases you through the Gifts of Christ given in the Church. Through these Gifts of Baptism, Absolution, Gospel preaching, and the Sacrament of the Altar you have forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and sonship with God. The gates of hell shall not prevail against you, for you are safe in the ark of the Church.
Today’s Epistle is also a word of encouragement. Peter continues, if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. This does not mean you are free to do whatever you want, to sin boldly in the wrong sense of the phrase. Whoever suffers as a Christian for the sake of the confession of faith, for Christ’s sake, glorifies God through willing acceptance of suffering and heartfelt praise of God.
When tribulation comes, compare it to the suffering of those who do not confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Whether tribulation is light or severe, it is nothing compared to the judgment that awaits the godless. As Peter says, if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
Peter asks a good question, especially as we consider the persecution of Christians around the world. We have it far too easy in our country. There are Christians suffering heavy persecution as we rest comfortably in cushioned pews in a heated church building. This should give us pause about what could happen if Christians begin to shed blood in our country. Would we be willing to give up this building and worship in homes again? Would we be willing to rejoice in public humiliation for the sake of Jesus Christ?
When that day comes, we entrust [our] souls to a faithful Creator Who creates us not only according to soul and body, but in Christ has regenerated us and will fulfill His promises to us as a faithful God. We entrust our souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. We confess Christ without a care to what might happen. Remember that the Holy Spirit gives you the words to confess Christ before kings without shame. We do not give up the habit of gathering together to receive the Gifts. We pray for our enemies. We do good for our neighbor without expecting anything in return.
The birth of Jesus according to the flesh brings all sorts of trouble for the Christ Child. Walking in His footsteps, we see much trouble as well from Satan as well as the world and our own flesh. Resurrection is the end of tribulation, for Christ has triumphed over death and hell for you. Because He triumphs over death, we also are triumphant in Him. Jesus always has the last laugh, even when the world seems to laugh in His face for what looks like failure. You are not a failure in Jesus. Your soul is entrusted to a faithful Creator, Whose Son suffered for you in order that you live with Him for all eternity.
Media Vita In Morte Sumus 