Each Tuesday, I am posting another verse of John 15 (Vine and Branches). I will "recite" what we have learned so far. When I have reached verse 18, I will start again from there...then put them together later, when we have finished the chapter. If you wish to join me in this challenge, you can either email your "recitation" or post it as a comment. (Let me know if you see any mistakes that I miss.)
John 15:18
"If the world hate you,
ye know tht it hated me before it hated you."
We, here in the United States, don't really know what it means to be hated by the world. Oh, there may be a neighbor or co-worker or even a family member that makes our life miserable. We are relatively safe with our beliefs in this country, but there are Christians all over the world who put their lives at risk, and those of their family, for declaring association with the name of Jesus Christ.
Not just the Christians--the Jews have been pushed and scorned and almost annihilated at various times through history, all because Satan hates God's people. We just remembered the 50th anniversary of the Holocaust. It's something we'd rather not think about, but we should not forget it, lest it happen again. Sadly, the Bible tells us that things will get worse and worse before the Lord returns.
The people of this world, the vast number of people who are driven by pride and greed and the power of themselves, do not understand us. We are different. We represent that which is good; and they don't want to appear wrong, so they don't want to be near us. It's not really us they hate; it's the light of God shining through us. The light of the Lord reveals their sin.
"...the Light shineth in the darkness,
and the darkness comprehended it not...
He was in the world, and the world was made by Him,
and the world knew Him not.
He came unto His own,
and His own received Him not..."
I fear that there will be a time soon, when we will be tried for our faith. We will have to risk ridicule, maybe jail, and perhaps even death for the name of Christ. It will strengthen the church--it will purify it, though at great cost.
Jesus gives us great comfort in this verse. He understands. He was hated too. HIs last words to us were "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
Lord, give us Your strength and peace to face the world of sin and hate. Give us boldness to speak Your Name, even if it means our lives. May we shine for You as we go about our lives, showing the Way to those who are seeking the Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen
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