The Jesus Way
1 Peter 3:8-18
Contributed by Rev Brad Kenney
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. —1 Peter 3:15
As we near the end of the Worldviews sermon series, we can look back and see a logical and theological progression for our own lives and for our witness. God is always doing what He knows will get us into a place of right relationships with Him. This right relationship ultimately leads us to Jesus. Jesus, and relationship with him, is the ultimate firm place.
God the Father presents a radical call upon the lives of those who seek to follow Jesus. It is a call to a sacrificial life. The apostle Paul says that, in light of God’s mercy, we need to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1-2). This offering, this sacrifice, is a call to a way of living that Peter describes in this week’s scripture that is marked by unique traits — compassion, humility, love, like-mindedness, sympathy, doing good, and more.
This way of living would have seemed a very foreign concept to those reading the letter scattered throughout the first century world. This was a radical shift of perspective that is often described by scholars as the Jesus Way or a ‘Third Way.’
In Jesus’ time, there was severe oppression, repression, and persecution which occurred mostly at the hands of the Empire. The system (sometimes called a system of domination) benefitted some people (usually the wealthy and privileged), at the expense of the poor, uneducated, vulnerable, and more (think widows and orphans). And so Jesus came, preaching “seek the kingdom first” (Matthew 6:33) and teaching his followers about this ‘Third Way’ living. It was radical to suggest, “if someone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:41).
Recently, my family and I have enjoyed The Chosen. A powerful moment comes late in season one as Jesus is calling his disciples to follow him. In this scene, Jesus stops mid-street, turns and calls out to Matthew the tax collector to come and follow him. Simon (Peter) questions Jesus. Do you know him? Do you know what he has done? “Yes,” Jesus replies. “I don’t get it,” says Peter. “You didn’t get it when I chose you either,” Jesus replies. “But this is different, I am not a tax collector,” shoots back Peter. “Get used to different,” says Jesus.
Get used to different. The pages of Scripture reveal this ‘different’ way, this Third Way, this Jesus Way. It is not a Republican way or Democrat way. It is not a capitalist way or socialist way. It is not a
I wonder how much of this call has been lost in our modern day and age. Jesus calls us to “different” — a different way of living, a different way of seeing the world and valuing life, a different way of treating family and friends, a different way of responding to enemies, and more than I have space to write.
My friends, the path for humankind to find God runs directly and only through Jesus. And when we encounter Him, He does not leave us as He finds us. He calls us out of that old way of living. He redeems us, transforms us and radically alters how we understand meaning, truth, origins, purpose, and identity. All this is designed by God the Father to lead us to Jesus so Christ can transform us into His radical, Third Way — the Jesus Way — of living.
Consider –
╬ Think about your life before and after following Jesus. In what ways is life today different? In what ways do you still struggle getting “used to different?”
╬ In what ways does your faith journey reflect the progression of the sermon series? Or, to put it another way, how has God been leading you to the person of Jesus?
╬ Jesus, lift me from the mud and mire; set my feet on a rock and give me a firm place to stand, I pray. In Your name. Amen