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John

John 
Day 
Day 225

John 15:18-27 "MORE LESSONS ON HOW TO COPE WITH THE HATRED OF THE WORLD"

Day 225 – John 15

MORE LESSONS ON HOW TO COPE WITH THE HATRED OF THE WORLD

It was important that the Disciples learned further lessons on how to cope with the hatred of the world. Hatred is not just an attitude. Hatred often expresses itself in violent and destructive ways. One of those ways was hurting people through persecution. Thus Jesus sought to prepare His Disciples for the time when they would suffer persecution.

“Remember the word that I said to you,
‘A servant is not greater than his master.’
If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”
John 15:20

REMEMBERING THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS

Again and again Jesus reminded His Disciples to hide His word deep in their hearts. The word that is kept close to the heart would come to their rescue in times of great sorrow and pain. John gave a truncated statement of what Jesus said. Let us consider the more complete text found in Matthew’s Gospel.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a
servant above his master.
It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher,
and a servant like his master.
If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub,
how much more will they call those of his household!”
Matthew 10:24-25

Jesus foresaw that the Disciples would have to endure much suffering! However, they may draw strength from the Word that He had taught them! Recalling His Word, and dwelling upon it would give them the kind of strength that they would need to endure the worst of persecution!

“IF THEY PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU”

Matthew recorded many more statements of Jesus on the subject of suffering than John. The latter merely mentioned that Jesus warned His Disciples of persecution, whereas the former recorded in some detail His word of warning concerning persecution.

1. The Persecution of Jesus

The first part of this text made reference to the persecution of Jesus. Let us consider the following text.

“From that time Jesus began to show to His Disciples
that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things
from the elders, and chief priests and scribes, and be killed,
and be raised the third day.”
Matthew 16:21

2. The Persecution of the Disciples

Jesus forewarned His Disciples that they too would not escape persecution. He painted a clear picture of what the world would do against those who stood with Him.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you,
and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake.
And then many will be offended, will betray one another
and will hate one another.”
Matthew 24:9-10

The Disciples must not be naive concerning the world. They must prepare their hearts and minds to accept suffering or risk the grave danger of being “offended” (stumbled). Worse, they could even turn on each other. They could even betray each other, just to escape suffering!

“IF THEY KEPT MY WORD, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO”

Amidst the dark scenario Jesus painted, He gave a word of encouragement. Not all who are in the world would hate them. There would be some who would respond to the word that the Disciples would proclaim. Just as they kept the word of Jesus, so they would keep the words of the Disciples also.

The life of the Apostle Paul may be cited as proof of what Jesus said. On one occasion when Paul ministered in Berea, his enemies tracked his movements and sought to disrupt his ministry. Let us read what Luke wrote in the Book of Acts.

“But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned
that the Word of God was preached by Paul at Berea,
they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea…
So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens…”
Acts 17:13-15

As Paul preached the Word of God, the unbelieving Jews were filled with hatred for him. He had once been their champion against the cause of Christ. Now he preached that Christ was the Messiah and Saviour of the world convincingly. They determined that they would persecute Paul. They dogged his footsteps. They went to great lengths to persecute him!

But as Jesus promised, there would be those who would hear His Word. These would be the little “bright spot” in the gloom. The converts that Paul made protected Paul and personally escorted him to safety from Berea to Athens.

PREPARED TO ENDURE PERSECUTION

Jesus knew that His Disciples needed to be taught and fortified in their spirits or they might not be able to endure suffering. Many believers still fear persecution and suffering! The fear of pain and suffering will only increase the degree of pain felt! The challenge for every believer is to learn the lessons Jesus sought to teach His Disciples. Suffering will come! Only a strong faith in Him will enable the believer to endure much!