Pastor Barry Fredericks  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 16

January 16;      I Peter 4:1;       225/260(III);        ‘Ceased From Sin’

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

The Lord Jesus, because of His great love and commitment to us and our redemption, was willing to suffer for us physically.  Prophetically, Isaiah 52 tells us that on the cross, the Lord Jesus was barely recognizable as a human being, because of the incredible physical beating He took.  Hebrews 12:2 teaches that we are to look steadfastly at Jesus.  This verse goes on to say that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross.  That joy was our salvation.  Through the agony, beyond our comprehension to fathom, the Lord Jesus saw humanity redeemed back to the Father through what He willingly suffered.  Jesus had a goal and He knew what He had to do to achieve that goal.  Temporary physical suffering could not compare to the knowledge that the Lord Jesus had that humanity now had a way back to the Father and could spend eternity with Jesus when they put their faith in what He did for them.  This truth effects believers two ways.  First, because of Jesus’ love for us and commitment to us, multitudes have willingly been martyred because of their love and commitment to Him.  Second, believers have considered it an honor to suffer for their Lord and Savior.  In Acts 5:41 Peter and John were beaten for using the Name of Jesus to heal the crippled man.  They left the religious council rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus Name.  Paul proudly bore the scars of Jesus (Galatians 6:17).  Jesus is worthy.