Tuesday
"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world – therefore the world hates you." (v.18-19)
Background
If you like logic puzzles like Sudoku, then you should lovethese verses. John's Gospel is often seen as mystical andother-worldly, but this is about how people respond to discipleship- lives that aim to obey Jesus' teaching (and lives that belong tohim).
But does this passage refer to a gospel of reconciliation or doesit mean that those who follow Jesus will suffer for it? Applyinglogic to verse 19 we see Jesus says those who belong to him will behated by the world.
Therefore, if we are not hated by the world then can we belong tohim? Not easily according to this passage. But looking back through2000 years of history, it seems that this message has often beenlost or subverted. Instead we hear claims that faith in Jesusbrings wealth and power - not very obvious signs of the world'shatred.
Jesus saying he was hated before us (in verse 18) should lead us tothinking about his response. We see that he taught (and lived) aunique response to hatred - love your enemies and do good to thosewho persecute you (
In the last two verses we see how Jesus plans for us to follow hisresponse to hatred. We do not do it alone, he sends an advocate -the Spirit of Truth. Not power to defeat enemies but instead, tospeak on our behalf as we speak on his.
This passage challenges our understanding of the gospel ofreconciliation. It teaches about working for reconciliation frompowerlessness (being hated and persecuted) through following theexample of Jesus who was hated before us. It is a way of gentlenessand self-sacrificing love. Christianity's mistakes in the past havenow left us hated for the wrong things (power, wealth, aggression)and needing more than ever the example of Jesus in responding tothe need for reconciliation around us.
To Ponder
How does the world treat you? What does that tellyou about the extent to which you belong to Jesus?
How does the example of Jesus help you respond tohatred? Where might you be failing to follow that example?
How does the view of the Holy Spirit at the endof this passage compare to your experience and expectations? Whatchanges does this view mean for you?