Fourth Sunday in Easter - Christ, Our Example

Goes along with Kids Devotion of the same title.

We can trust in God the Father, just like Jesus did.

Read 1 Peter 2:19-25.

Bible Focus: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” -1 Peter 2:21

From the time Jesus was conceived to the time he died, he never committed a single sin. He didn’t swear when he stubbed his toe, or think negative thoughts when someone tripped him, or refuse to do his chores when he was tired. When soldiers were hammering nails through his wrists and hanging him on a rough wooden cross, he didn’t wish judgment upon them. He remained sinless.

1 Peter 2:21 tells us that Jesus is our example. Can you think of a more intimidating example to follow? 

Verse 23 explains how Jesus stayed sinless all that time. Jesus entrusted himself to “him who judges justly” - God the Father. Jesus knew that this world was unfair. He knew life would be difficult, and that he would be treated wrongly. He even knew how his earthly life would end. Rather than entering his worldly life with resentment, he went into it knowing that no matter what, he could trust his Father. 

We can’t follow Jesus’s example perfectly. However, because of Jesus, we too can trust God the Father. After all, the Father sent his Son for us. He knew that it was our fault the world was unfair; our fault that life was difficult; our fault that his Son would be treated wrongly. He sent his Son for us anyway. We can trust God the Father, because he wants what’s best for us, even at the expense of his only Son.

It’s true that our lives are not easy. Sometimes, it can be hard to trust that God the Father knows what he’s doing. When we do our best, when we try to do what’s right, when we are working to help others, sometimes we get hurt. Sometimes bad things happen anyway.

We are in good company with Jesus. He is our example to follow in all things, especially when we suffer. We can trust, just as Jesus did, that God the Father wants what’s best for us. 

Your challenge this week:

The next time something bad happens to you, say a prayer to God the Father.

Please pray:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for sending your Son to suffer for my sake. I confess that I don’t always follow his example in trusting you. Thank you for always working for my good. I ask that you renew my trust in you each day. In your Son’s name I pray, Amen.