Final answer:
In 1st Peter, Christians are called to suffer as Christ did, and such suffering, even severe, is not considered unusual. This view represents a shift from the emphasis on Christ's divine nature to a recognition of His suffering, which aligns with later medieval depictions of a more humanized and suffering Christ reflected in art and religious thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1st Peter, it is conveyed that because Christ suffered, we are also called to suffer. There is an emphasis that there is nothing unusual about a Christian suffering–even a "fiery ordeal." This perspective is a shift from the earlier medieval depiction of Christ as predominantly divine and untouched by suffering. The evolution in religious thought and iconography began to reflect Christ's humanity more prominently, revealing a Christ who suffered as humans do. This can be contrasted with earlier artistic representations described by Nancy, which showed a triumphant Christ, mostly unaffected by suffering. However, later representations, such as those described by Steven, portrayed Christ on the cross in a more human light, illustrating the gravity of his pain and the weight of his sacrifice.
During the Middle Ages, understanding of Christ's nature evolved from a focus on his divinity to a recognition of his shared experience with humanity through suffering. This progression is reflected in art and literature, wherein the once triumphant and essentially uninjured Jesus became the passionate Christ, experiencing suffering that was both physical and emotional. Hence, according to biblical interpretations such as those found in 1st Peter, Christian suffering is considered a participation in Christ's own tribulations, rather than something to be surprised by or deem extraordinary.