Treat Everyone like Jesus Died for Them

Treat everyone like Jesus died for them.

These words, written in a colorful, playful font, flashed across my Instagram screen last week. The timing was impeccable. Fresh off the Roe V. Wade reversal, my feed was a flood of artistically drawn reproductive organs, oppressed prairie women illustrations, and fists. Words accompanying these posts seethed from the screen—demanding “essential” health care, proclaiming the ruling as the end of modern women’s rights. 

I was angry, to say the least. Firmly positioned on the opposite side of the line, I felt attacked by the onslaught of insults being hurled in the pro-life direction. Having formerly worked for a pregnancy care clinic, I knew the majority of these claims—that pro-life supporters only cared about birthing babies, not sustaining families—were untrue. And I was prepared to fight back, to be a keyboard warrior. Two could play the social media game.

And then this post appeared—convicting and calming me in one beautiful, necessary moment.

It was the WWJD bracelet in modern form, and it gave me pause. Would Jesus hide behind a screen, posting passive-aggressive messages, allowing hate to fester? Would He give Satan space to let in feelings of superiority? Would He feel defeated and give way to the world?

No, Jesus would treat everyone like he died for them. Because He did.

He was flogged for the tax collector. He was pierced for the prostitute. He was nailed to the cross for the criminal. He gave his life—for you, for me.

Jesus died for everyone—not just the people who agree with you.

Exceptions were not made on the cross. Jesus never proclaimed, “Father, forgive them—except for (insert person here).” No, when He said “it is finished,” He was announcing forgiveness, victory for the entire world. 

Now, this does not mean you recoil and avoid publicly sharing your faith. The Bible tells us, “The Spirit of God emboldens us to proclaim the gospel without fear” (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Christ has commanded believers to “not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,” (2 Timothy 1:8). 

We have a responsibility to share our faith, to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). But there is a way to do that—to gently share, advise, and encourage—with compassion. And unlike your social media, anger-fueled-self would like you to believe, a passive-aggressive post with misappropriated scripture is not the way.

Instead, look to the One who has mastered this art, who demonstrated it again and again in the New Testament. Speak like Jesus, who invited a tax collector to be His disciple. Advocate like Christ, who saved the adultress from being stoned (John 8:7-11). Love like the Lord, who promised the criminal he would be with him in paradise (Luke 23:43).

Put down your phone; walk away from the keyboard. Fold your hands; bow your head. Take this time, these moments you were tempted to spend engaging in debates, fighting a losing battle, to pray. 

Pray for patience when you listen, for wisdom when you speak. Pray for guidance when you respond, for compassion when you disagree. Pray for kind words, for thoughtful actions.

But most importantly, “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Love your enemies, just as Jesus commanded. 

Because sister, just like you, Jesus died for them, too.