1 Peter 3:13-15(NLT) “But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! ”
Have you ever noticed how certain friends bring out different parts of your personality? Parts of you come alive around different people. I think it’s a lot like when Mary, the Mother of Jesus walked into the room with Elizabeth, the Mother of John. The baby inside of Elizabeth jumped for joy when he heard Mary’s voice. The life inside of Elizabeth found a jam with the life inside of Mary.
I’m a better man when I’m with Stacie. I’m more thoughtful and kind when she is in the room. Our team really loves when she attends our meetings. I have other friends who bring out a funny side of my personality, other friends I love to dream with, some friends help me be more courageous, and others who help me think with more wisdom.
Imagine what it would have been like to walk in the physical presence of Jesus. A moment in His presence was enough to change a person’s whole life. Simon of Cyrene was profoundly impacted by a brief interaction with Jesus. One day as he was walking into Jerusalem, he noticed a Nazarene being beaten on His way to Golgotha for His crucifixion. Soldiers ordered Simon to carry the cross (Mark 15:21).
We don’t know how long this interaction took, but we do know it impacted Simon so much that his sons, Alexander and Rufus, later became followers of Jesus. The journey under the cross with Jesus changed Simon. Peter tells this story to Mark as he pens this gospel account.
Let’s just camp here for a few moments. Beaten, bloody, bruised, crowned with thorns. Spit on and mocked. What was Jesus doing on His way to His last breath? He was whispering hope to Simon. Soldiers drive stakes into His hands and feet, yet when He is lifted up, He leads one of His fellow prisoners to salvation and asks the Father to forgive the soldiers for their ignorance. And if that’s not enough, He also appoints someone to take care of His mom.
No wonder the soldiers said, “Surely He was the Son of God.”
Jesus’ life of devotion, power, and unconditional love provides the backdrop for Peter’s life of influence. Peter’s model for a “gentle and respectful” approach to evangelism was King Jesus. Jesus held children on his lap, restored prostitutes, hung out with sinners and tax collectors, and dealt with His enemies with so much grace.
He lived in such a way that those who spoke against Him would eventually be ashamed. He was willing to suffer for doing good. This was the Master’s approach to reaching the unreached.
To Jesus, people were never a project to complete. To Jesus, people were and are friends to be loved. It was never about winning the battle of being right or understood. Jesus was willing to endure disrespect in order to show respect and honor to others.
Hey, if you are feeling convicted right now, join the club. I have so far to go. I want to get the last word in. I still like to be understood. I struggle when people think I’m wrong. I still care way too much about people seeing me the right way.
Jesus helped Peter get over that! The consistent transformation of the Holy Spirit in Peter’s life had brought him from brashness to gentleness. As we will see soon, Peter was now willing to suffer.
Sometimes we have to choose if we would rather make a point or if we’d like to make an impact. Jesus said, “I am humble and gentle at heart” (Matt 11:29). His gentleness empowers us to give up arguments and assumptions. We are now called to conversations and friendship with people around us who need to encounter the grace of God.
What’s the best way to convince someone of God’s grace? It’s to live grace.
Ravi Zacharias was an apologist who recently passed away. I still remember listening to one of his books on CD while driving through the Mountains of Thailand on a big bus during the summer of 2003. My heart was in a place of real dependence at the time, mostly because there were several times I thought the bus was going to fly off the mountain.
I remember sitting on that bus with tears streaming down my cheeks as Ravi described his first encounter with the Good News of Jesus. As you can probably tell I’m still moved to my core by this Good News. The longer I follow Jesus, the more I see the disparity of His greatness and my brokenness. At the same time, in my brokenness, I am deeply aware of God’s love for me that has poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit.
This love makes me more gentle and kind. This awareness of grace has helped me to see how often I am wrong and mistaken. If we have received such grace, how can we not be stirred to share this Good News with the world around us. Jesus has changed us in order that we might bring HOPE and LIGHT to our cities!
Let us go with this kindness, honor, gentleness, and love.
Father, I pray that you would help us become like Jesus. Help us be gentle and kind. Help us be willing to suffer if it is your will. Help us be the kind of people who join your mission to seek and save the lost!
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Thank you Pastor Andy for this message of hope. Kindness, grace, and love in the presence of chaos is what separates Jesus from us all. What a wonderful thought that one could be so loving in a time when his own life was threatened, when his body was battered and bruised. He cared more about others, even during the worst times. God Bless!
WOW Powerful message the verse better to suffer for doing good than bad is so true and I’m currently working this into my life and find it very peaceful. Before I was rebellious when I was wronged or did wrong, and found this just caused more pain to myself and others (what great wisdom is given in this verse.) When I suffer for doing good there is the reward of my Fathers grace and will for my life thank you Jesus! Today when I live a life of grace its funny I can tell people I encounter are expecting me to argue I’m a good debater but instead I will let them be right and they are shocked. This reminds me of a verse in the bible that says don’t argue with a fool because if someone is watching they cant tell the difference of who the real fool is LOL just amazing free wisdom Love the bible! Thank you for the reminders Pastor make it a great day
“I still care way too much about people seeing me the right way”
I’m with you there Andy!
Jesus was humble and kind but he also was not afraid to speak truth and be rejected.
“Help us be gentle and kind. Help us be willing to suffer if it is your will”
Thank you
Yup, there are some people who I care more about making a point than respecting the person. Great reminder to continue to strive for grace and connection instead.
Amen. ???
“Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! ” Yes, we should always do what’s right for God’s glory and not conform to the ways of this world (status quo).
“A moment in His presence was enough to change a person’s whole life.”
When I’m around positive people I feel much more uplifted. I really need positive people in my life right now. God has spoken to me many times in the last year. I have become stronger in my faith through church and fellowship. I feel his presence all around me watching over me and guiding me to better serve him. I really liked The Killers band performance. They’re one of my favorite bands.
“Beaten, bloody, bruised, crowned with thorns. Spit on and mocked. What was Jesus doing on His way to His last breath? He was whispering hope to Simon.” The more I read about Jesus I learn that he is extremely selfless and I strive to be more like him everyday.
I love this!: “Sometimes we have to choose if we would rather make a point or if we’d like to make an impact.” When seeking God for my next mission, I ask that he guide me in making a large impact on the world to honor his sacrifices.
I asked the question for yesterday’s devotional of how I could best share with others how God has moved in my life. Today you answered this question with the below, thank you!:
“What’s the best way to convince someone of God’s grace? It’s to live grace.”
I’m reading the book of Psalms right now.
Pastor Andy, thanks for another amazing devotional.
Thank you Pastor
So I got into a argument last night with my grown daughter. I felt unheard, disrespected and could not even sleep. God spoke to me today. I really needed to hear from HIM. He knows just what we need. Thank you for sharing and thank you for always being so transparent.
Today’s world could use more kindness. It’s a good thing that kindness is contagious. Hopefully we all can catch it.
Thanks for sharing your heart Pastor Andy. Humbled as well by His continual kindness and grace, as well as His strength and love in our weakness.
I want to be like Jesus
“The journey under the cross with Jesus changed Simon.”
Suffering side-by-side with Jesus always changes us. It allows us to know Christ from another angle… in “the fellowship of sharing in his suffering”. He is right there beside us as we suffer with Him. Whispering hope and providing strength to persevere.
Thank you Pastor Andy for these lessons. It helped me to remember to put on Jesus’ love. Much better for me.