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Silent Suffering Servant
1 Peter 2:18-25

Sometimes you just have to hang on.
Sometimes it’s all you can DO to hang on.
Sometimes it’s all you CAN do to hang on.
Sometimes you just have to….

46-year-old Henry Dempster had his hands full! The commercial pilot on a routine flight from Lewiston to Boston was mystified by an unusual noise in the rear of the plane so turned the controls over to his co-pilot and made his way to the rear to check on its source. Just as he arrived at the back of the plane, they flew through turbulence and Henry was thrown against the rear door which, being the source of the unusual noise, was not fully latched. Suddenly it flew open and the pilot was sucked out of his own plane.

In the cockpit the warning light indicated an open door so the co-pilot signaled for emergency landing permission and also called for a helicopter search to locate the ejected pilot who had seemingly fallen into the open seas. The plane flying at 190 miles per hour at 4,000 feet quickly made the emergency landing. It was only then that it was discovered that Henry Dempster had miraculously grabbed the stairs mounted on the plane’s door and hung on for dear life. His face was a mere 12 inches from the runway as the plane taxied to a stop. The ejected pilot had survived and escaped with only slight scratches! (NewYorkTimes, 04September1987)

Sometimes you just have to hang on!

To the scattered pilgrims of the first century Church, the Apostle Peter writes words of encouragement. Many are living their lives as slaves under less than gracious masters. Many are being abused and mistreated, enduring painful experiences under distrust and false accusations. What counsel can Peter give? “This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”

Sometimes all you can DO is hang on!

“Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in HIS steps.”

Sometimes all you CAN do is hang on!

“By His wounds you have been healed.”

Sometimes you just have to…

Hang on, Church!

Pastor Tom