While following Jesus brings joy to those who participate, He is not without His opponents. In fact, He said as much.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
John 15:18-20 NIV
There is great good in this world, when the goodness of God is reflected in His creation and in people who choose to follow His direction and His example.
However, there is also evil, and it’s no secret that the evil in this world hates what is good. We say “misery loves company” and those who reject God’s authority seem to follow the same pattern. Maybe it’s wanting to feel like everyone else is making the same bad choices, or maybe there is latent jealousy of the joy that comes from following Christ. Bryant & Krause [p.320], point out that a life lived following Jesus is “a threat to the sinful world, and therefore the object of hate.” (And, some Christians act like jerks, and aren’t showing the love to others that God does, resulting in animosity from a world who is already hurting. I don’t think that’s what Jesus is talking about here, though.)
Regardless of individuals’ reasons, the disciples are told to expect to be hated by “the world”. The idea that Christians will be universally liked and supported by everyone else is contrary to the very words of Jesus. Logically, it would seem that those who love and show kindness to others would be popular, but it just doesn’t work that way.
It is some consolation though, that those of us who are hated by the world (for following Jesus, that is) are in good company. If we receive the same reception from others as Jesus did, because we are close to Him and trying to live like He did, that should be a confirmation that we’re on the right track.
What did this look like for Jesus? He received support and formed friendships with a limited group of those who sought God and truth, while He also received harsh opposition from those who were not open to the truth of God (and who wished to continue in their corrupted ways). This latter opposition was social, verbal, emotional, and – in the end – physical.
For followers of Jesus, He has provided the church – all of His followers, no matter where they are – to provide support and help for each other. However, where the good of Jesus Christ runs into those who hate Him (hopefully only happening outside of the church), conflict may be unavoidable. It’s not ideal that the latter happens, but it is not unexpected.
On the other hand, if people who are practicing evil and who are – by their own admission – not followers of Jesus are supporting us and agreeing with us, while genuine Christians are opposed to what we say and do, there may be a problem. I’m not saying that we can’t have things in common with sinners (outside of their sin, of course), nor that we can’t disagree with other sincere Christ-followers on points that aren’t spelled out in the Bible, but when a sinful world is aligned with us, we may have missed something.
Consider where you are aligned with others today, and where you meet resistance. Do they line up with the same groups where Jesus met the same reactions?
From Sunday School lesson prepared for January 28, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, January 28, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 