Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
RESPONDING TO THE WORLD’S HATRED
John 15:18-25
The fact that Jesus is both hated and rejected by the world is a fact of certainty in the Bible. It is helpful to know what Jesus meant by the term “world.” Warren Wiersbe has a good word on this:
“The term ‘world’ is used in scripture in at least three different ways. It can mean the created world (the world was made by Him – John 1:10), the world of humanity (for God so loved the world – John 3:16), or society apart from God and opposed to God. We sometimes use the phrase ‘the world system’ to define this special meaning.”
It is a certainty that the world of people operating within the world system hates Jesus Christ for what He truly stands for. If they can keep Him as a status symbol, a good man, a moral teacher, a model to follow, then there is no problem. He is all of these things – but much, much more.
He radically changed the lives of the people He touched. He made claims that no other man could make. He revealed truth about men and things eternal that was indeed startling. This is what the world can’t stand. “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin (John 15:22).” So naturally the world hates Him.
Jesus now introduces the reality of the world’s attitude toward His followers as the same as it is toward Him. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first (John 15:18).” This hatred comes because the church is Christ’s representation on earth. The world is not finished persecuting Jesus. However, the only way the world can persecute Christ is to persecute the church.
He reinforces the fact with the words, “No servant is greater than his master (John 13:16).” This persecution will come because they didn’t know Him or His Father (v. 21). According to I John 3:1, “The world doesn’t know us because it didn’t know Him.” This hatred for Christ is summed up in a prophetic statement found in Psalm 35:19; 69:4. He cites these prophecies in John 15:25, “They hated Me without a cause.”
So how did Jesus respond to hatred from the world? He submitted Himself to His Father (I Peter 2:21-24). So how are we to respond to hatred from the world? Review Romans 8:36, “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” So according to Paul, believers are appointed to these things (Phil. 1:29).
As followers of the One whom the world hates we, too, will experience some of what He experienced. We must, as Jesus did, commit our way to the Father (Psalm 37:5, 6). There is a wonderful statement in Romans 3:24. The Apostle Paul writes that we are “justified freely by His grace.” The Greek word translated “freely” is the same Greek work that translates “without a cause” in John 15:25. The reason for the world’s hatred for Christ is not found in Him but in unregenerate man. Christ did nothing to harm the world. He did everything to help it. He died to provide salvation for the ones who hated Him. Even so the reason for God providing justification for ungodly sinners is not found in us but in God’s wonderful grace. That is why grace is so amazing.
So beloved, when you represent the Lord Jesus Christ this week and your testimony is rejected and maybe you are ridiculed, don’t be surprised. If the world rejects the Lord of Glory, it will also reject you. However, there is a bright spot in this passage. John writes in verse 20, “If they kept my word they will keep yours also.” You will find those who will listen to you and receive His word, although the percentage is small. Thus we must “keep on keeping on” for Christ.
Go out and have a blessed week. Love to you all,