“A powerfully disturbing question”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Sunday, April 30, 2023

1 Peter 2:19-25 (Forward, p. 91) CEV p. 1279

In 1896, American Charles Monroe Sheldon wrote a powerful and yet quite disturbing book based on a line from today’s reading, one that was entitled, “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?” In it, Raymond, Kansas pastor Rev. Henry Maxwell, after being touched by the words of a dying, homeless man that he refused to help, challenges his congregation with a proposal not to do or say anything for the entire year to follow without first asking ‘what would Jesus do?” The book then tells the story of how this played out, of what happened in the lives of the individuals—and of the surrounding town and elsewhere—when individuals met the challenge by either living up to it, or deciding not to.

I knew from my familiarity with the book that it had raised some controversy over the years but was somewhat surprised by what form it took in one review I read about the book. There it was suggested that it was seen as controversial partially because the Holy Spirit was considered essential to our work and our living as Christians and partially because there was no mention of the Antichrist anywhere in the book.

Both of these objections surprise me greatly, as I would have thought that the primary problem people would have is in what they considered to be a rather unrealistic and naïve approach to life. After all, they might have said, “Jesus lived in first century Palestine and in a far different time, culture and place, and with an entirely different world situation and world view. And certainly, just because of its radical and potentially life-changing ethic many people over the years would have shied away from embracing the idea.

Actually, in its original setting, that one found in today’s reading, it is even more shocking and even more radical. It lifts up the subject of Jesus’ suffering—who ‘set an example by suffering for you’--and actually suggests that we follow in His steps by embracing suffering in own lives. It suggests (verse 21) that God chose us to suffer.

For modern minds, this certainly raises an abundance of hackles. Firstly, it goes against the warm fuzzy picture that many people have of God. Why, God would never allow, much less mandate, something as horrible as suffering in anyone’s life. And secondly, it goes against the entire ethos of

our times, especially in the Western world. Almost everything we do here is predicated on the premise that life is supposed to be comfortable and without pain or suffering or discomfort of any sort. Whole commercial enterprises, and much of our products and services, are based on that assumption, and our entire medical system—and now the Canadian MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) legislation—has the prevention of pain and suffering as its primary objective. Certainly, neither of them would ever countenance the deliberate embracing of pain, which is what our passage seems to suggest.

But even if we put aside for a moment the notion of embracing pain or suffering as a deliberate and conscious act, what about the whole idea of accepting risk or discomfort? I would suggest that we also shy away from these things as well. I know that I, for one, hate confrontation and shy away from potentially painful or difficult conversations with people. And, I know that equally as much I try to avoid difficult situations, such as having to deal with people with whom I differ substantially in terms of political or religious views. I would rather avoid them, and the possible unease and unpleasantness of the conversation, from meeting them face to face. I would rather avoid having to deal with views that differ from mine and the sharp emotions might underlie them. I guess in this way that I am a coward.

However, before we leave this passage with its seemingly ‘impossible’ demands, let us look for just a moment on how Jesus lived out this ‘life of suffering’ according to today’s author, Peter, who’d had the chance to observe Jesus throughout His entire earthly career:

-Jesus did not ever tell a lie or sin;

-He never tried to get even, even when abused, and He never uttered any kind of threat;

-He had faith in God, trusted in God, regardless of the circumstances;

-Everything He did, He did for us, out of His love for us;

-He did nothing, nothing at all, for His own sake, His own benefit.

And so, at very least, as Peter states, we should stop sinning, start living aright, and follow Christ, who is our shepherd and our protector. And yes, we can embrace that, suffering or not. And if, in so doing, suffering or pain or discomfort come our way, so be it. Amen.

Forward notes: “When he was abused, he did not return abuse” (verse 23).

“Today is the birthday of someone who used to be a dear friend, but who, for reasons known only to him, has ‘ghosted’ or disappeared from my life. I know from others he is alive and well, but being summarily dumped after a decades-long friendship hurt. I was tempted to return hurt for hurt, but I know I cannot control another’s actions or decisions.

“For those of us who are survivors of abuse, we know how readily we can be triggered by someone’s thoughtless comment or tone of voice. For some of us, even the traditional patriarchal language of scripture and liturgy can feel uncomfortable. Having endured pain, we can continue to suffer, especially if we do not seek help. However, we are not victims. We are survivors and rather than just surviving, God calls us, all of us, to thrive. No matter what might have happened to cause our souls to shrink in fear, we can know that God always calls us to new life. I miss my friend, but friendship is not one-way; it must be reciprocal. So, too, it is in our relationship with God. God doesn’t demand anything of us but invites our praise and our prayers.”

MOVING FORWARD: “How is God calling you to new life?”