Wilhelm's space

You should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1Pe 2:21-23 NIV)

You ought to suffer both evil und injustice, but commit neither. You are a servant – even a slave – and subject to your Lord and master. He punishes you, mocks you because of the truth and all this is to be considered grace and mercy, for you are following in Christ’s steps. If you Lord suffered that at the hand of evil mercenaries, why should you not suffer that willingly under the stern hand of your master? However if you take on the evil nature of your master and turn to bad and sinister stuff on account of this unjust punishment – is that still Christlike? Jesus suffered evil. He asked him that hit him: “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” (Joh 18:23 NIV) He let himself be struck and prayed for those, who nailed him to the cross. Thus he practiced meekness and righteousness simultaneously, struggling against sin and yet carry the sin of the world. Behold him and follow his ways. Remain truthful in good and bad days, in love and sorrow. Do they scold or beat you, then suffer this willingly. It is your calling! Remain in the steadfast confession of your Lord and master, so that he too will not deny you, but rather be your faithful witness. Don’t just sacrifice with sighs, moans and groans. No – you are to give joyfully and with a glad heart. If you are to be obedient and faithful to your God even in temptation and persecution, then take this admonition to heart: “Rejoice in the Lord always!” God is on the lookout for his joyful followers, who overcome suffering by trusting him and his gracious presence.

O Lord Jesus Christ, you suffered obediently whilst bearing all evil patiently. Thereby you delivered and saved us and gave us that wonderful example to follow. Grant us your merciful help that we would suffer evil and injustice patiently and in this suffering are kept from sinning and would rather glorify you our Lord and King. Amen. 

Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Flee the world, which would deceive us And to sin our souls allure. Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding, Faithful, Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee.

Let us suffer here with Jesus, To His image e’er conform; Heaven’s glory soon will please us, Sunshine follow on the storm. Tho’ we sow in tears of sorrow, We shall reap in heav’nly joy; And the fears that now annoy Shall be laughter on the morrow. Christ, I suffer here with Thee; There, oh, share Thy joy with me!

Let us also die with Jesus. His death from the second death, From our soul’s destruction, frees us, Quickens us with life’s glad breath. Let us mortify, while living, Flesh and blood and die to sin; And the grave that shuts us in

Shall but prove the gate to Heaven. Jesus, here I die to Thee There to live eternally.

Let us gladly live with Jesus; Since He’s risen from the dead; Death and grave must soon release us. Jesus, Thou art now our Head, We are truly Thine own members; Where Thou livest, there live we. Take and own us constantly, Faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren. Jesus, here I live to Thee, Also there eternally. (Sigismund von Birken 1653 translated by J.A. Rimbach 1900)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the second Sunday after Easter: Misericordias Domini. It is found on Pg. 175 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.