To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1Pe 2:21 NIV)

The class of slaves is one of undeserved suffering. Born free or in captivity such a slave is in the power of another’s will. He must endure that another decides what to do with his time and strength and ability. His master decides arbitrarily what he should do, suffer and live like. In our epistle this suffering is called his calling (Beruf)and that this is the holy path of following his good shepherd. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you.” Behold Jesus in his undeserving suffering for others. Jesus is the example in suffering, an divine example according to God’s plan in whose footsteps all Christians – especially Christian slaves – should walk.

The suffering Jesus is our example! Can you imagine a more dignified and glorious example than this? Do you know a discipleship/following (Nachfolge) that you would prefer to this one following Jesus through shame and hardship from without and within to gain the open space that Jesus opened up for us? If it goes down into deep valleys, then another will pull us up on high. Do we sink down in deep sorrow, we will be lifted to great joy and never ending happiness – to a well being that knows no end. Therefore lift up your face and look at our leader Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfector, the Lord of all Saints and follow him to the very end! To enable you to do this, you have to fix your eyes on Jesus and trust him to lead you the way – listen to him and follow his directions.

O Lord Jesus Christ, you view our suffering graciously and you help even before we know it, remember us in all stages of our life and comfort us in bad days so that we may overcome confidently. Amen. 

Suffering we move heavenward. Follow me, calls Christ our kingly head and we look at him alone. He is calling with peace that nobody can hurt. (Hermann von Bezzel, 1861-1917)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the second Sunday after Easter: Misericordias Domini. It is found on Pg. 174 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.