Yield or Suffer ∙∙

Yield or Suffer ∙∙

So, if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. – 1 Peter 4:19

1 Peter 2:20-23

20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Resilience Through Persecution

On February 23, 303 A.D., Emperor Diocletian launched a brutal crackdown on Christians with a chilling ultimatum: “Yield or suffer.” Under his reign, church leaders were hunted down, imprisoned, and martyred. Sacred texts and Scriptures were seized and set ablaze in symbolic attempts to extinguish the Christian faith. Yet, despite the unrelenting cruelty, many followers of Christ embraced their fate with unshakable faith.

One such example of courage was Theodotus, who, as he was being led to prison, proclaimed, “It is but just that Christians should suffer for Him who suffered for us all.” His words reflected the steadfast trust in the Lord that countless Christians displayed, even in the face of death.

Diocletian’s campaign of terror epitomized Rome’s might and determination to suppress this growing movement. But in the end, it was the Christians who prevailed. Their resilience, conviction, and unwavering allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ outlasted the empire’s brutality. By 311 A.D., a dying Diocletian was forced to issue an edict of toleration. Despite years of unimaginable suffering, Christians emerged victorious in their quest for the freedom to worship, winning the right to follow their faith.

A Warning from Scripture

These events echo the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 15:20, “Remember what I told you: ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” This passage serves as a reminder to all children of the King that persecution for their faith is not an exception but something Christ Himself predicted.

Reflecting on the history of the early church, it becomes evident that the first three centuries A.D. were defined by persecution and martyrdom. The Romans, seemingly consumed with hostility, took a grim delight in tormenting followers of Christ. Today, this reality persists in many parts of the world where persecution and martyrdom continue as a way of life for the children of the King.

Suffering in Modern Times

In America, antipathy toward believers is on the rise, leading many to wonder if more severe forms of persecution will take root. Even without physical threats, the children of the King face emotional and psychological challenges. Rejection, betrayal, abandonment, broken promises, and offenses leave lasting scars. How should we respond to such wounds? What is the godly response when our feelings are hurt or we are treated poorly?

While some advocate venting anger or suppressing pain, neither offers lasting peace. Instead, we should turn to the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who endured the ultimate suffering with grace and love. Known as the “Suffering Servant,” Jesus was insulted, rejected, and subjected to unimaginable pain. He faced all this with serene love and without retaliation.

William Barclay eloquently writes, “He was without sin, and yet He was insulted, and He suffered; but He accepted the insults and the suffering with serene love and bore them for the sins of the world.” Jesus continually entrusted His suffering to the Father, demonstrating unwavering trust and reliance on Him. This is the model for all children of the King today.

Lessons from the Suffering Servant

Christ’s example calls us to rise above the cruelty of the world, responding not with resentment but with forgiveness and grace. He shows us how to endure trials not as victims but as victors, firmly anchored in the Father’s love. Like Christ, we can commit our challenges to the Father, knowing that His strength sustains us through all trials.

Whether through physical persecution or the quieter struggles of rejection and emotional pain, we are called to reflect the love, patience, and faithfulness of our Savior. The question remains: in moments of hardship, will we follow the example of the Suffering Servant?

REFLECT & PRAY

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).

Father, it feels like there’s a reason to get upset or lash out almost every day. Please teach me how to release my pain, irritation, and anger and turn it over to You. Strengthen me to become more like Lord Jesus Christ and help me to follow in His footsteps.

Following the Example of Christ

INSIGHT

Following the Example of Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ set an extraordinary example of how to endure insult and injury with grace and unwavering love. He bore mistreatment without complaint or anger, showing steadfastness in the face of injustice. The life of Christ reflects the ultimate model of mercy and humility, a standard for believers to follow.

1 Peter 2:21, 23 reminds us of this truth: “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. 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.”

Christ, the master copy

The Greek word translated as “example” is hupogrammos, which provides a fascinating word picture for us. It refers to a master copy or template used by Greek children to learn their alphabet. They were presented with a model or pattern, an example for imitation, a master copy to imitate. They would trace faint outlines of letters repeatedly until perfecting the strokes. Likewise, Christ is our hupogrammos, “master copy.”

But there is more

Imagine this process more visually. Think back to a childhood craft that many of us have done. Where we laid a thin copper foil over an object and gently tapped it to create an impression. Over time, the object’s image would emerge on the foil’s surface. Similarly, in the Father’s hands, we are the copper. The Lord Jesus Christ is the image beneath, “the master copy.” Through the Father’s gentle and persistent work, as He hammers away, He shapes us. We are slowly, relentlessly being molded into the pattern of His Son. As a result, the image of the Lord Jesus Christ takes form within us.

When the Lord Jesus Christ faced harsh and unjust treatment, how did He respond? According to 1 Peter 2:23, “He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered.” Instead, He placed His trust in the Father, the just Judge. He was subjected to repeated insults, slander, and attempts at entrapment. His tender, sensitive, loving heart was wounded repeatedly. Jesus absorbed the pain and managed His response with restraint without responding in kind. He did not lash out.

The Power of Continual Surrender

The Greek word paradidomi, translated as “entrusted” or “committed,” captures the essence of Christ’s response. Written in the Greek imperfect tense, it reveals that Jesus did this continually and repeatedly. Each time He was mistreated, He entrusted Himself to the Father. He didn’t retaliate or seek revenge. Instead, He left His case in the hands of the One who judges fairly and justly. He handed all of the ill-treatment over to the Father.

His life provides the perfect example for us to imitate, encouraging us to overcome anger and respond to mistreatment with love.

The Challenge of Forgiveness

In contrast, humans often tend to be vindictive; a desire for revenge seems to be ingrained in our DNA. Yet, as children of the King, we’re called to rise above this innate impulse. A vengeful spirit may feel satisfying in the moment but ultimately corrodes the soul. It breeds bitterness, damages relationships, and leads to deep personal anguish.

Richison aptly notes, “Vindictiveness will eat our heart out. It will sour our spirit.” For this reason, the Father calls us to something higher. He desires His children to release their pain and hurt, trusting Him to bring justice in His time and way.

While releasing the desire for revenge doesn’t come naturally, it’s a skill that any child of the King can learn. It takes practice, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to develop this Christ-like response. Through repeated acts of surrender, we grow in the ability to release our pain and place it in the hands of the Father.

Learning from the Master

The life of the Lord Jesus Christ models a path of surrender leading to freedom. By refusing to retaliate, He showed that power lies not in vengeance but in love and humility. His example calls us to do the same. He is our master copy, our hupogrammos.

When faced with rejection, betrayal, or offense, may we imitate the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who endured suffering with unshakable faith and boundless grace. Through Him, we discover that forgiveness is not a concession but a triumph of the soul, and surrender is not defeat but a profound demonstration of inner strength. His path teaches us that true courage is found not in retaliation but in responding to pain with love, humility, and trust in the more excellent work of God. By imitating His way, we transform our trials into opportunities for growth and mirror His serene and otherworldly character.

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© Dr. H 2025