The Long Trip That’s Worth It! – April 29, 2026
Read: 1 Peter 2:19-25
If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:19-25 (selected verses)
The Long Trip That’s Worth It!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Which sounds better to you: A super long 15-hour road trip with no snacks, no books, no movies, no stops, no friends . . . Or a 2-hour flight in first class with nice snacks and games, shows, and entertainment? Most people would probably pick the flight!
But . . . what if the long car ride ended at a gorgeous resort with an amazing beach with soft sand, sunshine, and waves? And what if the short flight ended with you stuck in a dirty, smelly alley? More people may pick the road trip. Even though it would be long and difficult, you know that what is waiting at the end will be great.
Christ lived a difficult life where people rejected and belittled him. People made fun of Jesus. They didn’t listen to him. They tried to trick him. They tried to mess him up at every turn. In the end, they beat him and killed him. But Christ endured all this for us: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross.” Why? Because he knew at the end of it all, he would see us in heaven. And that was worth it for him.
We are called by Christ to follow his example. He tells us that we might suffer for doing good, because the world hasn’t changed too much since he was here. Sometimes people still make fun of Christians. Sometimes doing the right thing is hard. There are still some people who even hate Jesus and what he taught. They try to trap believers and mess them up at every turn.
But through it all, Jesus is like a shepherd saying, “Come this way! Follow me!” Following Jesus can sometimes feel like that superlong 15-hour road trip with no snacks or fun. Sometimes the road feels long. Sometimes things are hard. But we know where Jesus is taking us. He’s leading us somewhere far better than a beach, he’s leading us to heaven. And heaven will be better than anything we can imagine!
Prayer:
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, you endured many difficult things during your life on earth just so that we could be in heaven with you. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Jesus sets a good example for us. Who is someone you look up to? Who shows you how to do the right thing?
- What is something fun coming up that you can’t wait for? (birthday, trip, holiday)
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- What is one hard or sad thing that happened to Jesus?
- What is something hard that might happen when you follow Jesus? (Someone laughs. Doing the right thing is hard.)
Questions for Middle School and Above
- Did Jesus suffer because he did something wrong—or because he did something right? Why? (The reading talks about receiving a beating for doing wrong and suffering for doing good and enduring it.)
- When people insulted and were mean to Jesus, he wasn’t mean back. Why is that so impressive?
