If the World Hates You
TRANSLATION
(18) “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me before it hated you. (19) If you belonged to the world, the world 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. For this reason, the world hates you. (20) Remember I told you that the servant is no greater than the master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey your (teaching) as well. (21) But all these things they will do to you for my name’s sake because 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. But now they have no excuse for their sin. (23) Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. (24) If I had not done among them the works which no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. However, now they have seen and hated both my Father and me. (25) This took place so that what was written in their law might be fulfilled, ‘They hated me without a reason.’ (26) But when the helper comes whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me, (27) and you will also testify because you have been with me from the beginning.”
OBSERVATIONS
As Jesus prepared his disciples for service after his departure, he warned them about the enmity they would face as they lived and ministered in alien territory. “World” was repeated six times (vss. 18 & 19) while “hates/hated” is found seven times (vss. 18, 19, 23, 24, & 25). Four words, “persecute” (vs. 20), “obeyed/obey” (vs. 20), and “Father” (four times in vss. 23, 24, & 26) were also repeated. The phrase, “they would not be guilty of sin,” was repeated in close succession (vss. 22 & 24). In verses 26 & 27 “testify” is found twice, and two terms for the Holy Spirit were mentioned, “helper” and “Spirit of truth.”
OUTLINE
What Jesus told his followers to expect…
– negatively, the hatred of the world. (18-25)
– positively, the helper sent from the Father. (26 & 27)
IDEA STATEMENT
Those committed to following Jesus should expect to be hated by the world but to be strengthened and enabled by the Holy Spirit as they testify to others about him.
APPLICATION
The night before he was crucified, Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure by telling them what to expect from a life of discipleship, both negatively and positively. First, we should expect to be treated by the world just as Jesus had been treated, with animosity and persecution. To counter this, Jesus encouraged his disciples with a promise of the Holy Spirit’s strengthening and enablement. No matter how badly those who follow Jesus are treated, they can rely on God’s presence and power to endure whatever they face.
Some will face extreme opposition as did Stephen when he was stoned to death for his testimony (Acts 6 & 7). Others like the Apostle John, the author of this Gospel, would live for many years to have rich and productive lives. All who follow Christ can expect to experience both the hatred of the world and the faithful ministry of God’s Holy Spirit as they pursue the path God has laid out for each one. While being hated is no picnic, God’s Holy Spirit will enable his followers to endure such hatred. When opposition arises, we can be sure that the Spirit will never allow us to face such animosity on our own.