Jesus Revealed Pt. 15 - Why Do They Hate Me?Shembull

The World Hates You  

Thoughts on the Passage

Jesus changes the focus from love to hatred. His relationship to the Father is based on love and love for His commands. Now Jesus brings clarity to the response of people who refuse to love the commands of God. Hatred.

They hate Jesus. They hate God’s commands. They hate God… and they hate us when we love Jesus. They hate without cause. Jesus has not done anything wrong. We do no wrong by loving Jesus and what Jesus stands for. Still, they hate. This puts us in a very uncomfortable position. When we are hated and there is no reason, then we struggle. We have done nothing to justify hatred and yet we face it because we love Jesus.

Jesus gives the disciples a warning that hatred is coming. Jesus is about to face hatred at its worst with the cross coming in less than 24 hours. He is preparing them. This hatred will be focused on them as well.

Hatred seems to have gained a powerful foothold in this world. It kills people of another race. It attacks people for reasons that seem trivial. It causes brother to attack brother. Relationships that were once strong, become weak fragile or even broken. There are many reasons why satan stirs up hatred among people, but it will be especially strong against God’s people because it is directed at his hatred for God.

Still be people who love what Jesus loves, and also the people who hate Him.

Application

Do not be overcome by evil today. Evil will have its day because God is full of mercy for mankind, but do not let it have victory in our lives today.
Choose to love someone today who seeks to make like difficult for you. 

Time to Pray

Father, Jesus gives this solemn warning – we will face hatred in this world. When someone has chosen to hate You, Your Son, Your Word and Your children… then we will face what Jesus faced. It is not comfortable. It is not right. It is not easy to accept. It is what will happen though. Still, Jesus is my example of someone who faced hatred with love. He took their hatred, released love, and opened the door for forgiveness. In this world that is what You ask of me. I do not have what it takes to bear hatred like this. I get angry at hatred – especially when it is directed against the innocent and the vulnerable. Still, You ask me to look like Jesus who bore it… carried it. I know that hatred will have its day, but it will be judged by You and judged fairly. I long for that day too! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.