Persecution
Devotions on 1 Peter 3:13-22
Monday, Persecution
“But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14a).
“The times they are a changin’.” Bob Dylan sang and prophesied well. Who would have guess that there would be a time when the two words, “Christian,” and “Activist” would be placed together? Christians used to be content simply worshiping on Sunday mornings and holding fast to doctrines they believed to be crucial for their salvation. We were part of the “System” that unofficially supported our beliefs and values, and sidelined several minority religious faiths. It was a time of “God, home and country.” Such a time is no longer viable (it never was).
We often limit the reason for Jesus’ execution to the fact that he threatened the authority of both the Romans and the Jewish religious authorities. This is true, but there is more. Jesus broke down the cleanliness codes by associating with and ministering to women, the sick, the possessed and the dying. Jesus reached across the wall separating Jews and Gentiles and demonstrated that Gentiles were God’s people, too. The followers of Jesus were challenged to live differently even if the systems within which they lived remained the same.
With Jesus, we stand with the oppressed and marginalized—and we suffer the consequences. Shining a light on our systemic racism will not win us many white friends. Siding against the bullies may place us on the hit list, too. Supporting our brothers and sisters in the Queer Community may make us “persona non grata, in certain circles. Ministering to the needs of the hungry, homeless, alien and those of other faiths is sure to lead to heated discussions and perhaps even broken relationships.
The costs of being Christian activists may be slight, or they may be massive. No matter what the cost we are blessed. Sharing God’s love and grace with others is a blessing in itself.
Lord, open our eyes so that we can see those in need. Give us the courage to minister to those needs no matter what the cost. Amen.
Tuesday, Persecution
“Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated” (1 Peter 3:4b)
We have all experienced intimidation. Unpleasant memories of high school bullies may still haunt us, or we may currently struggle with the words and actions of an office bully. A family member may attempt to intimidate us with temper tantrums. When we were pulled over for a broken taillight the police officer may have attempted to display his authority by intimidating us. Even our memories of past experiences, or our closely held secrets have the ability to intimidate us. Intimidation rules our lives with fear.
Students of the Bible have noted that God’s most frequent command to God’s people is “Don’t fear.” We can paraphrase that command to “Don’t be intimidated.” When we are faced with painful or life threatening possibilities, though, it is easier said than done. We can’t simply close our eyes and chant, “I won’t be afraid, I won’t be afraid.” Something must replace the fear.
The Psalmist discovered the antidote to intimidation and fear. He writes, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Instead of being intimidated by fear, followers of Jesus are motivated by love—God’s love. When faced with fearful possibilities, we can rest in God’s love. Empowered by God’s Spirit our response, when others attempt to intimidate us, can be to act and speak in love. Nothing is stronger than God’s love—Nothing!
Lord, wrap us in your love, calm our fears, and enable us to be faithful and courageous servants. Amen.
Wednesday, Persecution
“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:15a).
The central event in the Hebrew Scriptures is the Exodus—God’s leading the people of Israel out of their enslavement in Egypt into the Promised Land. After the Israelites had escaped Egypt, God lead them to Mt. Sinai and gave the Ten Commandments to God’s people. The first of these commandment is, “I am the Lord your God. You shall not have any other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). God expects to be first in the lives of God’s people—not second or third or an “also ran,” but first.
The writer’s call in First Peter, to sanctify Christ as Lord, is a restatement of God’s command to have no other god’s before the Lord. There are many potential gods and goddesses in our lives that seek our allegiance and our worship. Our careers, families, net worth, physical fitness, and prestige in the community are only a few of them. We worship them with our time, energy and other gifts.
It is God’s love, though, that has captured us. God’s love fills our lungs with every breath we take and flows through our arteries and veins with every beat of our heart. This love comforts us in our sorrows, strengthens us in our weakness and motivates us in our service. We are more than our company titles, our children’s accomplishments, spreadsheets, weight and blood pressure. We are God’s, and we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Lord, hold us close so that you are always first in our lives. Amen.
Thursday, Persecution
“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;yet do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15b-16).
Early Christians were upsetting the social norms and mores of Greek and Roman society. They were breaking down the barriers between masters and slaves, men and women, rich and poor. The early Christians began to care for those in need—to look after widows and orphans, feed the hungry and care for the sick. Aristides, sent by Emperor Hadrian during the days of the early Church to scope out those known as “Christians,” gave a report and his words have echoed through history. “Behold, how they love one another.” Of course, we know why those early Christians acted like they did, but the people of their time were amazed and confused by their actions.
Followers of Jesus continue to do things differently. Christians have been at the forefront of ministries to the hungry and homeless. We have sought care for the poor and elderly. Concerned Christians and others are standing with women who are facing difficult reproductive choices, with members of the Queer community who experience ridicule and persecution, and with our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters who encounter the hate of closeminded individuals and groups.
Those around us ask the question, “Why?” “Why do we do such things?” We must be ready to answer. It isn’t simply because we have extra time or extra money. The fact that we want to be a good example to others isn’t the only reason, either. Why do we do these acts of sacramental love? Because the love of Christ compels us! We who have experienced such a great love, can do nothing but share that love with others.
Lord, as our light shines, may the world know why it shines so brightly. Amen.
Friday, Persecution
“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17).
The key question of this verse is, “What is good?” There is a significant group of Christians in the United States who sincerely believe that they are being persecuted for their faith—for doing good. In reality they are experiencing the kickback from forcing their religion on others. They want to ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, because their version of the Bible says so. Teachers of American history should keep any references to the enslavement of Africans to a bare minimum, and references to LGBTQ+ topics, during school hours, are forbidden. Prayer should be reinstated in public schools, but only Christian prayer. And, all good Christians should be able to carry guns. The “good” in this case is self-serving, continues the oppression of minorities and goes against public opinion.
Jesus faced significant opposition and experienced the ultimate suffering. None of this, however, was the result of Jesus forcing his religion on others. Yes, Jesus taught the crowds, and he certainly argued with those in authority. He only invited others to follow him, though. The real source of his opposition was his allegiance with the poor, oppressed and marginalized. Jesus was executed because of his love of others, not because of his love for himself.
As followers of Jesus we seek to emulate his example. Like Jesus, the focus of our lives is on others and away from ourselves. Love and service are our reasons for being. Following Jesus we serve others and seek to meet their needs. We stand with the oppressed and include those who have historically been excluded. This is good, and if we suffer for it, so be it.
May the “good” never be the creation of our minds, but rather the expression of your heart. Amen.
Saturday, Persecution
“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
When you change your perspective, you see the same thing differently. For centuries this verse and several others have been used to promote the penal substitutionary theory of Jesus’ crucifixion. This perspective of Jesus’ execution sees Jesus’ death as a substitution for our death. The sinless one died, who did not need to die, for those whose sins warranted their deaths. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are able to live with God after our deaths. Though this is currently a popular understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection, it was not how the cross of Jesus was originally depicted and has only been taught for the last one thousand years.
Another way of looking at this verse is to realize that Jesus hung on the cross because of humankind’s inhumanity to humans. The cross is the collision of power/hate, and love. By his death, Jesus showed us not only that God is a God of love, but demonstrated how that love is shared with others—especially those in need. By his life, death and resurrection, Jesus show us that love can overcome power/hate. When we be become followers of Jesus, we become followers of “The Way,”—the way of love.
We walk as God’s sacraments to the world. God is in, with and under us and moves through us so that others can experience God’s love and grace. We don’t need to wait for God’s kingdom to come, we can live in God’s kingdom (and God’s presence) today.
O Holy Spirit, empower us so that we may live in such a way that others experience you in their lives. Amen.
Sunday, Persecution
“In which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19).
When we recite the Apostles’ Creed on Sunday mornings, we say that Jesus, “Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.” This verse in First Peter is the sole reason why this phrase was added to the creed. In truth, no one really understands what the writer of First Peter meant when he wrote that Jesus “Made a proclamation to the spirits in prison.” Biblical scholars and theologians have argued over this verse for centuries.
One thing we do know, though, is that this verse tells us that there is no limit to God’s love and grace. Death is not even a barrier.
We don’ need to worry about whether or not our words or actions will make a difference or achieve their goal. We can simply concentrate our ministering to the needs of others and sharing God’s love and grace with them. When we do this, we can’t imagine the life changing/world altering things that will happen because of what we say and do.
Lord, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.