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John 15:18-27 "THE SIN OF PERSECUTING BELIEVERS"

Day 227 – John 15

THE SIN OF PERSECUTING BELIEVERS

How did the Disciples feel as they listened to Jesus teaching them how they must brace themselves for persecution? It was all well and good to learn how to endure persecution, but at the back of their minds, the Disciples must have wondered about their persecutors. Before they could raise this question up, Jesus gave this word.

“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would
have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.”
John 15:22

Jesus classified the persecution planned by the Jews as sin! They had no excuse for this sin at all! Let us take time to understand at a deeper level what Jesus said.

“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin…”

If the Jews had never heard Jesus at all, they might well have pleaded the sin of ignorance! This was the case where Paul was concerned. In the first pastoral epistle he wrote to his young protege, Paul freely confessed his misdeeds.

“Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and
an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because
I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
1 Timothy 1:13

The Jews were also blasphemers, persecutors and insolent people! However they could not plead as Paul could. They could not plead “ignorance in unbelief.” They knew exactly what they were doing. They had heard Jesus. They had seen His sign-miracles. They had rejected Jesus and His message! Thus they had no excuse at all.

“But now they have no excuse for their sin”

One day, Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth. The Jews were of course on the warpath against Jesus, because He had healed the blind man on the Sabbath! In their mind, Jesus had committed a grave sin. He had broken the Sabbath!

Ignoring the fact that they had just witnessed a great miracle, the Jews persecuted the man who had been healed by Jesus. They excommunicated him, casting him out of their community (John 9:34).

Jesus sought the man out and went on to reveal Himself as “The Son of God”
(John 9:35-38). He then went on to make a profound declaration.

“For judgment I have come into this world,
that those who do not see may see, and that those
who see may be made blind.”
John 9:39

The Jews understood what He meant. He came to give sight to the blind. The case of the man born blind was a symbol. Those who were blind now had eyes to see. On the other hand, those who believed that they had good vision were actually blind.

The words of Jesus stung the Jews. They made an angry retort and said,

“Are we blind also?”
John 9:40

Jesus must have felt deeply saddened at this remark. If they had remained silent, if they had come to Jesus humbly, they might well receive sight – spiritual sight! Jesus had only these words to say to them.

“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
But now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore, your sin remains.”
John 9:41

The Jews had no excuse at all! Their spiritual arrogance had blinded them so completely, that they rejected Jesus and all He stood for!

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM ONE WHO SUFFERED PERSECUTION

Peter was once weak. He did not know how to endure persecution and suffering. He denied knowing Jesus on at least three occasions! However, he had learned much from the suffering he endured! He personally suffered much for the Name of Jesus in latter years. He was beaten. He was jailed. But his spirit was unbowed. As Christians underwent persecution, Peter was moved by the Spirit of God to write a general pastoral letter to all persecuted. In this text, he wrote a stirring word of encouragement.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened to you;
But rejoice to the extent that you partake
of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory
is revealed, you may also be glad with
exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the
Name of Christ, blessed are you, for the
Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
1 Peter 4:12-14

Peter suggested that the believer must learn to rejoice in his suffering for the Name of Jesus. The trials may be fiery, but they are not strange or unexpected. Jesus had given instruction concerning this matter.

Those who suffer may rejoice “with exceeding great joy” for they have the special anointing of the Spirit of God resting upon them. What about those who persecute believers? Paul’s statement well complements what Peter wrote.

“And not in any way terrified by your adversaries,
which is to them a proof of perdition”
Philippians 1:28

Paul confirmed what Jesus taught. The sin of persecution would lead to their “perdition”. They are without excuse!