“Do Not Be
Surprised…”
I went through a really silly phase when I was a teenager. It’s a common silly phase, and perhaps some of you are still in it. Perhaps it doesn’t seem “silly” to you, and maybe it isn’t. But as I now look back on that phase of my life, it sure seems silly to me.
I used to go (voluntarily!) to horror films.
Now, I look back and think, “What was I thinking???” Paying people money to scare me to death. And, I was a great victim—if and when the director intended you to scream, my screech was the loudest! Countless sleepless nights I cowered under my covers. The very definition of a fraidy cat.
Most of the scariness of horror films center around the surprise element—just when you don’t expect something… BOO! But, why are we surprised at things? Surprise happens when something occurs that is out of the ordinary, unexpected, unanticipated. Much of the shock is taken away when we suspect something is about to occur. It is when it comes out of the blue that we are so shaken.
“Do not be surprised…”, Peter writes. In his epistle to his fellow believers, the Apostle encourages them not to be shocked by the terrible things happening to them. While this is an assumption, I suspect it is true—Peter had to warn them against being surprised because they were surprised! Things were happening that they did not anticipate, not what they expected. Hence, they were shaken by the events and afraid. But, Peter commands them not to be surprised.
They are surprised because they did not expect these horrible things to happen. They did not expect this, because their thinking was wrong. Peter is telling his readers to think correctly about the world around them. If we understand the world accurately, we should never be surprised by the manifestation of evil. Peter is tackling a “world-view” issue here. How are Christians faithfully to view the world? What should we expect? What should we anticipate will be part of this world?
A world-view is a semi-technical term for the collection of assumptions (often unconsciously held) that we have about the universe. What is really real? What is most important? What has eternal value? What is wrong, and what is the solution? All these, and others, help make up one’s world-view. The Christian’s goal is to have our world-view shaped by the Scriptures—to see the world the way God Himself sees it. To value what He does, to abhor what He does. When we do, our Christian world-view informs us as to what we should expect or anticipate in this world.
Now, if you have a world-view that hard times should never come your way, that bad things really are not a big deal, or that evil doesn’t really exist; then of course you will be surprised when persecution comes! Or, when tragedy strikes, or when sickness falls. If you fail to recognize the power of sin, then every time it shows up, you’ll be surprised.
Actually, that might be a good way to evaluate your own understanding of sin. When you see evil and maliciousness in this world, does it still surprise you? Are you shocked sometimes by your own wickedness, sin, and brokenness? Perhaps you need a world-view check. Do you see the world the way God sees it? Are you aware of the reality of sin? The power of sin? Yet, also, the ultimate victory of Grace over sin? Of the cross over evil? This is ultimately the way we should see the world, a Christian world-view, an understanding of God’s Kingdom that is shaped by the Scripture. And, if we do, then I believe, we will not be surprised.
As you prepare for worship this week, read 1 Peter 4:12-19.
1. Why do you think Peter describes his readers as “beloved”? Why would the use of this term be helpful in this instance?
2. What are “fiery trials” in verse 12? What constitutes
“fiery trials” in your life? Hold on to that picture as you work through
Peter’s comments here.
3. Peter encourages “rejoicing” when you suffer? Why? (See
verses 13 and 14.)
4. What does it mean to be insulted for the name of Christ?
What is “the name of Christ”?
5. Notice the Trinitarian picture in verse 4: Christ, the
Spirit of Glory, and God (often the New Testament writers use “God” as the name
of the Father).
6. Why would anyone be tempted to be ashamed for suffering
for being a Christian (vs. 16)?
7. What could Peter mean by the phrase, “Judgment begins with the household of God” (vs. 17)? Is there judgment yet to come for God’s people?
