Daily Devotionals

Believe It or Not Week 2 Thursday

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

One way to see someone’s character is how they interact with children. When I see someone stoop down, look a child in the eye, and genuinely engage with them and their interests, I know that I can generally assume that they are a person of character. You see, anyone can have conversations with adults their age who share their same interests, but it takes a special person to have the humility to stoop down to a child’s level and have a genuine conversation with them. When we read Scripture, Jesus was exactly the kind of person who would spend time listening to children while adults tried to rush them away. He is associated with the outcasts of society. He never hesitated to stoop down to someone else’s level. In fact, He not only did this when He left heaven and came to earth. He did this when He paid the price for our sin, proving that He not only steps into our mess, but He also takes care of it for us. He offers us freedom if we place our faith in Him. 

We read about the incredible lengths Christ went to in order to not only step into our mess but to help us find freedom and hope in 1 Peter. Peter explained it this way in 1 Peter 3. Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death but was raised to life in the Spirit (verse 18). When we were lost and caught up in sin, Jesus came to our mess. He came to earth and, although He was sinless, He paid the price demanded for our sins to offer us forgiveness of sin and peace with God. This happens when we place our faith in Him. My friend, this kind of love is beyond our earthly understanding. God loves us so very much. 

Most of us are so familiar with the story of what Jesus did for us on the cross that we forget just how incredible His actions were. When we had no hope and sin reigned over the entire earth, Jesus came and did something about it. He gave His life so that we could live. There is no greater amount of love than this!

Moving Toward Action

Spend some time reading John 19:28-37, which shows us just the extent that Christ went to step into our mess. Read these verses carefully and intentionally. Think about the extreme measures Christ went to rescue mankind as you read. Think about the extreme measures Christ went to rescue you. May you find rest and peace in His love and care for you today.

Going Deeper

1 Peter 3:13-22 (NLT)

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 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!

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.