“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”
because Christ also suffered for us
The preposition “for” means that Jesus suffered in our place or our stead. Christ, the sinless one, suffered in the place of sinful ones. That is unjust suffering. At first glance, the cross of Christ seems to be a tragedy, but when we realize that he suffered in our place, the tragedy becomes a victory.
The phrase “for us” indicates the substitutionary death of Christ for our sins (Rom 5:8; 8:34; Heb 9:24). Jesus represents us personally in his death on the cross. Jesus suffered vicariously; that is, he paid the penalty for our personal sins. That is why we love him.
“Also” puts our suffering on a new plane. There is comfort in knowing that Christ went through unjust suffering as well.
PRINCIPLE:
Christ suffered in our place.
APPLICATION:
Jesus suffered by his own volition. He did not suffer for himself but for us.
If anyone suffered unjustly, it was the Lord Jesus. He never sinned (v.22; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus knew no sin, yet he paid for the sins of the entire world. That is unjust suffering. Under God’s economy, a person who never sins does not have to die. Sin is the cause of death. Jesus did not sin, so he did not have to die. Yet he personally died for our sins.
Have you come to the place where you trust the death of Christ for your sins? That is the action of a belief that is necessary for your salvation.
