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John

John 
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Day 229

John 15:18-27 "A FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT OF HATRED"

Day 229 – John 15

A FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT OF HATRED

Once again, Jesus drew His teaching on a topic to a masterful conclusion. He said,


“But this happened that the word might be fulfilled
which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without
a cause.’ “
John 15:25

It was important that the Disciples were not overawed by the hatred of the Jews for Jesus. Nor should they fear how they would be persecuted! Jesus gave them more reasons why fear need not rule the day.

“But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law”

Once again, Jesus reminded them of “The Word”. This was of course a reference to the Scriptures. From the very beginning, Jesus taught the Disciples how they should regard the Word. Let us recall some of the lessons that He imparted to them.

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think
you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me…

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me;
For he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe
his writings, how will you believe My words?”
John 5:39, 46-47

Jesus spoke of the Scriptures as that which testified of Him. He also equated His words to be on par with the Scriptures!

On another occasion, He spoke of His teachings as God’s. He claimed that His word was full of authority from God!

“My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning
the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether
I speak on My own authority.”
John 7:16-17

As Jesus dined with His Disciples for the last time, He spoke also of the fulfillment of the Scriptures.

“I do not speak concerning all of you.
I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scriptures
may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me
has lifted up His heel against Me.’
Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass,
you may believe that I am He.”
John 13:18-19

“They hated Me without a cause”

John 15:25

The phrase that Jesus spoke of as something to be fulfilled is an amazing one. Let us take a look at the phrase that appeared in more than one psalm.

“Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully
my enemies; nor let them wink with the eye who
hate me without a cause.”
Psalm 35:19


“Those who hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head…”
Psalm 69:4


“They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
and fought against me without a cause.
In return for my love, they are my accusers,
but I give myself to prayer.
Thus they rewarded me evil for good, and
hatred for my love.”
Psalm 109:3-5

At first reading of these psalms that contained the idea of being hated without a cause, we would not know that they were in fact Messianic in reference. Through Jesus’ insight of these texts in the Psalms, the Disciples were given to understand and appreciate that these were indeed prophetic utterances that had reference to Him!

Jesus’ knowledge of the Scriptures was most impressive and compelling. He urged His Disciples to have that same knowledge and trust in the Scriptures. When one has that kind of knowledge and faith in the Scriptures, he would always be freed from the tyranny of fear!

A SUMMARY OF JESUS’ TEACHING ON THE SUBJECT OF HATRED

Let us take a moment to summarize what Jesus taught concerning the subject of hatred.

1. The World has a deep hatred for Jesus and consequently His Disciples.
(John 15:18-19)

2. The Disciples must be prepared to suffer persecution as a result of their identification with Jesus. (John 15:20-21)

3. The world is guilty of the sin of hatred and persecution of Christ and His Disciples. (John 15:22-24)

4. This hatred and persecution of Christ was already prophesied in the Scriptures. (John 15:25)

A STRONGER FAITH THROUGH DEEP KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge must lead to a deeper and stronger faith. That was one of the reasons why Jesus sought to give to His Disciples such deep insights through His teaching! How we must appreciate why Jesus spent so much time teaching His Disciples. How we must be challenged to deepen our knowledge of the Scriptures and of the teachings of Jesus.