Bottom line up front: The Link Between Substitution and Gratitude

Text: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (1 Pt 3:18).

Context, Context, Context: Peter, the apostle of hope, was writing in the A.D. 60s, a mere 30 years after the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, to Christians dispersed over what is much of modern-day with one overarching theme: endure suffering as a Christian for the sake of the truth.

Teaching/encouragement: Peter keeps the focus on Christ in verse 18 above. Why? To show suffering Christians their supreme model is Christ. Christ suffered, too, but immeasurably more than we do. He (the righteous) suffered for us (the unrighteous). How? Via the cross. Public scoffing, stripping of his garments, slander, mockery, beating, and ultimately crucifixion. He, the righteous, suffered for us, the unrighteous. Jesus’ mission? To bring us unrighteous ones to God, but in a saving way rather than in the way of condemnation. In short, for all who are saved, it’s because of the suffering servant, the Christ of God, our substitute. We are not the heroes; Christ is. Our duty is now to endure, and to do it in a way that demonstrates our gratitude for the one who was and is our substitute.