John 15:22-25, They Hated Me and My Father

15:22 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’”

Jesus is speaking primarily of Israel, which is where his greatest opposition comes from and from whom his disciples can expect opposition. Jesus’ ministry exposed evil. The light of the world exposed the darkness of the leaders of the people of God, which was predicted by the Law and the Prophets. Ignatius of Antioch writes, “Christianity is not a matter of persuasiveness, but of true greatness when it is hated by the world.” We still see this today in the persecution and suffering of Christians around the world. When Christians live lives consistent with the teachings and life of Jesus in speech, deeds, and values, they will collide with the world.

We all need to assess ourselves in the areas of speech, deeds, and values. Do these witness Jesus to the world or do they reflect the world? Jesus has come and has spoken, so, like Israel, we have no excuse for our sin. He has shown that he is from God and that he is God. Do our very lives reflect love for him or the opposite?

I encourage you to take time in prayer with Jesus today to look at the whole of your life. Where do you need transformation in what your say, how you live, what you value, and how you interact with others in the world and in the body of Christ? Take time now with Jesus.