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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 3 - Light Shines in the Circle of the Apostles (John 11:55 - 17:26)
D - The Farewell on the way to Gethsemane (John 15:1 - 16:33)

3. The world hates Christ and his disciples (John 15:18 – 16:3)


JOHN 15:18-20
18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

After Jesus had demonstrated his perfect union with God, and prophesied the coming of the Spirit of Consolation, he prepared them to endure the world’s hatred of them.

The world is opposed to Christian fellowship. Hatred rules the world, but love guards Christian fellowship. Jesus does not take his disciples out from a world of mishaps to transport them to a happy island. He sends them into an evil environment, for his love to overcome fierce hatred. This mission is no picnic, but a spiritual struggle. Those who advocate love face rejection, animosity and berating while they serve, not because of their own failings, but arising from the opposition incited by evil spirits against Jesus’ words. Their Lord, who was perfect in love and wisdom faced that hatred unto death. Despite this severe persecution, he did not flee from the battlefield or leave the world, but died loving those who detested him.

None of us is an angel; from our hearts proceed evil thoughts. But by Christ’s grace, a new Spirit has come on us. Repentance means change of mind. He that is born of the Spirit is not of the world but of the Lord. He chose us from this world. The word "Church" in Greek means the assembly of the chosen and called out from the world to carry responsibilities. So the world looks on the Church as an oddity. This separation causes serious splits and deep distress in a family as Jesus experienced (John 7:2-9). In this state, he who abides in Christ needs added wisdom and humility to endure mocking and persecution. If you find yourself in such circumstances, do not forget that Jesus went through the same without cause. Because he loved them and healed them, they crucified him as a criminal.

Jesus has a great promise for you, that though men will torture and fight you, some of them will listen to your testimony as they listened to his. Just as the word empowered with the Spirit caused faith and love to blossom in the hearers, even so your testimony will create life eternal in some of those who hear you. Every Christian is an ambassador of Christ in a world of hostility. So justify your heavenly calling.

JOHN 15:21-23
21 But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates me, hates my Father also.

Jesus informed his disciples beforehand that after his ascension painful persecution would attack them for his name’s sake. The Jews were not expecting a Messiah meek as a lamb, but a political hero to rescue them from the colonial yoke. This delusion concerning the hope of political salvation arose from their ignorance of God’s true majesty. They were unable to distinguish between religion and the state; they had a military god. They did not know the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is the God of all comfort and peace. Yes, He does permit the aggression of wars – as a punishment, but such wars and sanctions do not build the Kingdom. It is his Spirit that builds it in truth and purity.

Christ came representing his Father’s principles clearly, but the Jews rejected the Spirit of love and reconciliation. They pursued violence and war. All nations who do not accept Christ the Peacemaker fall into the selfsame sin as the Jews. Our sin is not to be equated with moral shortcomings, but are the enmity we show God and our rejection of His Spirit of Peace.

The basic reason for men’s rejection of Jesus, his Kingdom and peace is their agnosticism of the true God. People imagine their gods according to their whims. But Jesus revealed a God of love to us. He who rejects that love, pursues the path of violence and corruption, and he who rejects Christ, rejects the true God.

JOHN 15:24-25
24 If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father. 25 But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’

Jesus asserted that his announcement of God’s Fatherhood will be a judgment on those who resist his Spirit, this along with his numerous miracles. No one in the world could heal as did Jesus, or cast out devils, or silence the storm, feed thousands as well as raise the dead. God was at work in him with signs and evidences of a new creation. The Jews saw nothing significant in these signs since there were no political gains or economic benefits in them for the nation. But as they noticed the authority of Jesus’ love, these very works became a stumbling block because they would not believe in the Father. Just as the Jews shut their souls against the attraction of the Holy Spirit, so today millions live in the prison of the spirit that oppresses God. Those who do not confess that Christ is God’s Son hate his followers and do not truly know God, remaining in their sins, blaspheming against the Holy Trinity. Nevertheless, Jesus did not punish them, but carried out works of love through his servants. Brother, prepare for this spiritual conflict, asking your Lord energy to endure with patience and a readiness to suffer.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank you for living out your plans despite people’s hatred. Teach us to love our enemies, so that they may be saved. Open up the hearts of many to hear your voice and do your will, accepting your Spirit of comfort. Guide us; grant us more power and patience.

QUESTION:

  1. Why does the world hate Christ and his loved ones?

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