Suffering well – the example of Jesus

by Faye Schmidt

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And this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also … by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand (1 Peter 3:21,22a).

Read 1 Peter 3:18–22

Peter is writing to people who are in exile and suffering persecution, just as Noah and his family were exiled on the ark. God was to enact his judgement on the people, and the ark on the water was the saving means of avoiding this judgement for Noah and his family. The readers were fellow believers, and they knew of Noah and the importance that water played in their salvation. For us, it is not just the water, but the word of God together with the water of our baptism that is our salvation.

Peter reminds his readers that Jesus was also persecuted and suffered. Jesus is the one he points to as the people, the one who overcame not just persecution, but death. And on his resurrection, he ascended into heaven.

Suffering comes to all of us in various ways. Much of our suffering is hidden from others and not always acknowledged by ourselves. When we see someone undergoing cancer treatment, we know they are suffering. But when someone is struggling spiritually, mentally or emotionally, it is hidden from us. What we do know is that because Jesus suffered, our suffering is not hidden from him. He knows us and all our weaknesses.

Our text today is a triumphant one. Regardless of what suffering we may face, we are not alone. Jesus is with us. The vision we may have is of Jesus walking beside us or of Jesus holding us in the palm of his hand. The promise and comfort are that we are not alone.

Our baptism reminds us of our victory and the assurance of our triumphal resurrection when Christ returns.

Heavenly Father, as the water saved Noah and his family from judgement, we praise and thank you that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are saved through your gift of the water of our baptism in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.

Living stones

by Faye Schmidt

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5a).

Read 1 Peter 2:1–10

There are many references to stones in Scripture. For example, Jesus being tempted to turn stones into bread, Stephen being stoned to death, and Jesus stating that the temple will fall and not a single stone will be left standing.

We think of a stone as useful, particularly when building something. Scripture also refers to Jesus as the cornerstone – the stone from which all others are measured.

So, the one thing we know about stones is that they are inanimate – they have no life. Yet we are called to be living stones. But stones we are, on our own and without the power of the Holy Spirit, inanimate and subject to use by others for a variety of purposes.

As a ‘living’ stone, we have had the Spirit of God breathed into us. We are no longer inanimate but of value to God to be a witness to him and his grace.

But we don’t do this alone. For the living stones to thrive, they need to be connected to other stones, building a house – a church formed of those brothers and sisters who turned from stone to life.

Our text refers to us forming a holy priesthood. This is a collective. It recognises the togetherness of believers as we offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus. A single stone on its own has no clear identity or purpose. But when gathered, connected and built upon, we not only have a defined identity, but that identity reflects our purpose.

The church at which I worship is made of stone. It is a beautiful building. But the true beauty is inside, where I gather with fellow living stones that have been built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. Praise God.

Heavenly Father, you have gifted me to be a living stone, a member of a holy priesthood. I pray that the sacrifices of my heart and the works of my hands be acceptable to you through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.

A simple message

by Faye Schmidt

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus (Acts 13:32,33a).

Read Acts 13:16a,26–33

Do you recognise this story? Most likely, you do. In these few verses, through his account of Paul’s preaching, Luke has penned the heart of the gospel message. He managed to cram years of Jesus’ ministry into a few short sentences – along with a backdrop, a plot and a climax.

Let’s see … Jesus came to the people he and his Father created, but we didn’t recognise him. Though he was an innocent man, we condemned him to die a criminal’s death. He was crucified and buried in a tomb sealed by a large stone. But God raised him from the dead to be the fulfilment of his promises and the answer to our prayers. That’s the ‘word of salvation’, or the gospel, in a nutshell.

It’s pretty simple, isn’t it? In fact, it’s easy enough that probably anyone could recount this story. And that’s exactly the point. We can all be witnesses to this joyfully simple plan of redemption. We can all respond to the call to evangelise. But sometimes, it can feel pretty hard to get those words out of our mouths, even when the perfect opportunity presents itself. Why is that?

One of the most common reasons is that we doubt our effectiveness. We wonder whether we can make the gospel attractive enough or persuasive enough to convince someone to receive it. We may get so anxious that we don’t say anything at all! But the soul-tugging power of the gospel doesn’t come from us.

Yes, we need to share the truth as we have come to know it, but only God himself is in charge of changing someone’s heart. It’s only by a work of his grace that someone is moved to open their heart to the Lord. Only the Spirit of God can drive the point home, not our eloquent words. What a huge relief!

So, always remember that you don’t have to be a theologian or a pastor to share the gospel. All you must be is open and available to proclaim the simple message and then to leave the heavy lifting to God.

Lord, fill me so full of your love that I overflow with the good news of the gospel. Amen.

Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.