On Opposition-Lent 22, 2015

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 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. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22 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. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.'”

Jesus is offering some final instructions to the disciples who are With Christ in the Upper Room.  He has spoken to them about the full extent of His love as reflecting the great measure of the Father’s love for us.  Now He turns again to the topic of showing the full extent of His love, not in words only, but in actions.

At this point, Jesus knows the Cross is ahead.  He’s spoken of it before, but the disciples still don’t understand.  To them, He’s still the Messianic figure from Palm Sunday, cheered by the crowds, beloved by the little guy.  He’s a people’s Messiah!  The One they’ve been waiting for.  And they’ve been His disciples and groupies.

Now, however, He’s starting to say some things that are really troubling.  Opposition.  Persecution.  Hate.

Where is all this hate coming from?

Re-read this passage.  The word hate appears 7 times!  The world hates Him and the world hates them.  He’s going to be persecuted.  They are going to be persecuted.  Things are about to become really serious really fast.  This isn’t quite what they’d signed up for.

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Give it Up for Lent:  Thinking we can avoid being hated by accommodation with the world.

Put it On for Lent: Acting like chosen people–chosen for salvation, chosen to suffer

For further thought:

• Has anyone ever said they hate you or accused you of hate…and really meant it?  How did that make you feel?
• What is the best way of dealing with opposition that Jesus outlines for us?  From where do we get our encouragement?
• Can we ever resolve religious conflicts?  Why or why not?  What would have to happen to resolve a religious conflict?

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