You don’t hear much about Christian persecution in the news. But it’s a real thing; it’s happening today, and the numbers are appalling. I was looking at some statistics on the OpenDoors website. They’re a Christian organization that annually ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face extreme persecution.
This year’s report stated that 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith, 280 were forced from their homes, 15,000 churches or public Christian properties were attacked or closed, and over 3,000 Christians worldwide were detained without trial for their faith.
I could go on, but you get it, it’s pretty bad. And all this is simply because they follow Jesus.
Comparatively speaking, Christians in the U.S. aren’t facing persecution like in other parts of the world; you may be passed over for jobs or promotions due to your faith, especially if those beliefs conflict with company policies on issues like same-sex marriage.
Then there’s the social stigma of being a Christian and being excluded from certain groups because you openly express your faith in Jesus.
The media often stereotypes Christians as prudish, out-of-touch legalists who are weak-minded simpletons. The school environment is another tough place to be; students feel pressure to downplay their Christian beliefs in certain academic environments. They’re made to feel stupid for holding to biblical truths.
Obviously, the challenges Christians face in the U.S. are less severe, but they’re still difficult to navigate. As a follower of Christ, whether you’re living in Kansas or Somalia, people will hate you because of your faith in Jesus.
Transition:
Today, we’ll finish John chapter 15, but before we move to the text, let’s set the stage for where we’re at.
Background/Context:
It’s now just hours before Jesus’ crucifixion. In less than 24 hours, Jesus would be arrested, beaten, crucified, and buried. Jesus is talking with his disciples and preparing them for what will happen. We’re right in the middle of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples.
Last week, we saw how Jesus uses the grapevine and its branches to highlight the importance of staying connected to Him. This connection between Jesus and his disciples is vital for the disciples’ fruitfulness. And do you remember how the disciples were to do this?
They were to obey the Lord’s commands and not be driven by their own feelings or emotions. They were to stand firm on what they knew to be true, no matter what was coming their way. And remember, love would drive their obedience, not their emotions. Their life’s joy was to be the result of a life wholly devoted to Christ.
It’s important for us to put ourselves in the disciples’ shoes at this point. They heard what Jesus said in their conversation with him, but I don’t think they fully understood what would happen. We have the benefit of knowing the whole story, but they are about to experience it in real time. Their world will be thrown into total chaos in just a few hours.
Even though the disciples didn’t know what would happen, Jesus did, and he was preparing them for what was coming! He wanted them to be ready for the impending chaos.
And it’s at this point we come to the opening verse of our passage for today, which says:
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you.” (John15:18 CSB)
This is quite a contrast to the Christ-like love Jesus talks about. He switches from discussing obedience and love to hatred and persecution from the world. And keep in mind that the disciples have no idea what is about to happen.
Jesus has been preparing his disciples to lead His church, a new community of believers who will be recognizable because of their deep love for one another, their commitment to obeying Jesus’ instructions, and their experience of joy. Now, he makes a shift and talks about how the world will view this new community.
So, it’s vital for us this morning to see what Jesus says about why the world hates Christians and how he says we should respond to that hatred. Let’s turn now to our text…
We’ll begin with John 15:18-25, and as I read, keep the following question in mind as we work through the passage:
WHY DOES THE WORLD HATE CHRISTIANS SO MUCH?
18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you.
Before we get too far along, I think it’ll be helpful to define what Jesus means when he refers to the “world.” Jesus is talking about humanity as a whole, not the cosmos or planets. When he refers to the “world,” he refers to all those who live in open rebellion against the Creator. It’s a place of rebellion and rejection. We’re about to see this play out at the crucifixion. It’s not just the religious leaders who come against Jesus; it’s also the government officials and the people.
And I want you to notice that the “if” at the very beginning doesn’t mean it may happen to you, but rather that if you follow me, the world will hate you. There’s no uncertainty here. If you follow Jesus, it’s guaranteed. He’s being crystal clear. The assumption he wants the disciples to make is that the world will hate them.
So, let’s keep reading. Now, he’ll explain why.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.
The world hates the disciples because it first hated Jesus, who exposed their evil deeds by shining his light on their rebellion.
They hate that Jesus chose the disciples and set them apart for His kingdom. Jesus called them out of the darkness to the light of the gospel. The disciples are now citizens of the heavenly kingdom, and as they grow in their intimacy, love, obedience, and fruitfulness while abiding in Christ, they will have the same effect on the world as Jesus! And the world can’t bear that thought.
And here is what makes the gospel such good news: God did the same for us when he called us to Himself. We’re now part of a unique people, set apart for the kingdom of God.
Peter says that Christians are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession.” We are His people in a very real way. It’s not just that we pledge our allegiance to Him; it’s that He has taken ownership of us. We belong to Him. And the world doesn’t like this.
I loved Carson’s comment about being “Chosen out of the world.” he said, “Former rebels who have, by the grace of the king, been won back to loving allegiance to their rightful monarch, are not likely to prove popular with those who persist in rebellion”[1]
If you’ve been walking with Jesus for any amount of time, I’m sure you can relate to this statement.
I can remember when Patty and I first started walking with the Lord. She worked as a waitress and had to work on Sunday mornings. Because she worked every Sunday, we couldn’t go to church together. When she worked up the nerve to ask her manager if she could have Sundays off to attend church, and her boss said yes, her coworkers turned on her. They were so mad! They didn’t like Patty getting off to go to church; they didn’t think it was fair that she got off on Sundays. They wanted off too, but not to go to church; instead, they wanted off so they could stay out late and party on Saturday. These so-called friends showed their true colors. They really didn’t care about Patty at all. They only cared about her as long as she agreed to their plans.
When this kind of stuff happens to us, it’s hard for us because, by nature, we want to fit in. We want to get along with folks. We want to be loved and respected by the world around us. But fitting in with the world is the exact opposite of why Jesus chose us, called us, and sent us.
Early in my walk, I was a young airman trying to figure out who I was. There were times when I struggled with being accepted by those around me and not wanting to be seen as some religious wacko. In the end, all I did was compromise. Not only did it hurt my relationship with Jesus, but it also hurt my relationship with Patty. It pulled me away from what I really desired: a deep, genuine walk with Jesus.
I lost sight of the reality that I was chosen, appointed, and set apart from the rest of the world; I was now part of God’s Kingdom.
Let’s keep going…
20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
We are servants of the Lord, not greater than the master. If He suffered, why should we expect less? Jesus reinforces this idea by reminding them of when He washed their feet. It’s also a great reminder to us when we face hatred or any other kind of trouble. “Just as we are never “too good” to serve as Christ served, we are never “too good” to suffer as Christ suffered.”
Jesus’ warning about the world’s hatred was meant to strengthen and prepare the disciples for the challenges ahead. This makes me think of Terry’s saying, “Train left of the Bang.” So that when the Bang comes, we’re in a much better place to respond to it.
Let’s pick back up at verse 21…
21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason. [2]
Jesus exposed the world’s guilt. He did amazing things. He spoke in ways no man had spoken before and did works unlike any other: He turned water into wine, healed an official’s son, healed a disabled man, fed 5,000, walked on water, healed a blind man, and raised Lazarus to life. And yet, rather than receive him for who he is, the world rejected him, and in rejecting him, they reject the father. The people had no excuse for their sins. Their rejection proved their guilt. They had seen his work and heard his words, but they would not admit the truth. They closed their eyes and became blind to the truth revealed before their eyes.
Jesus concludes his warnings by referencing a psalm of David, a lament expressing his innocence amidst false accusations. This psalm is frequently quoted in the New Testament and clearly foreshadows Christ’s work. Jesus brought light into a dark world, revealing sin and wickedness in its true form. Those who thought they were righteous saw their sins exposed and hated Him for it.
Sin is just so irrational. The world tries to justify rejecting God, but nothing about life makes sense without Christ. Any search for meaning that ignores the gospel ultimately leaves us empty, shaking our fists at God.
SO HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RESPOND TO THE WORLD’S HATRED?
Jesus tells us in these final verses:
26 “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. [3]
Jesus was preparing to pass his ministry on to this small band of believers, and their testimony was essential. They had been with Jesus from the beginning. They were eyewitnesses. Jesus wants them to know the Holy Spirit will be present in their lives and empower them to be witnesses to Christ. That same Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, whom Jesus already spoke about in chapter 14, is at work in us so that we can testify to a lost world about Jesus. (John 14:26)
No matter what comes our way, we don’t stop testifying about Jesus!
Conclusion:
Here’s the bottom line: The world hates Christians because of our link with Jesus. We are not a part of the world; we belong to Jesus, so we’re not to be surprised when troubles come our way. In fact, we expect them to come our way, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we continue to abide in Jesus and proclaim the gospel as we bear witness to Jesus and build our lives on Christ’s foundation.
You remember that when I started, I said there was this contrast where we see Jesus switch from discussing obedience and love to the world’s hatred and persecution. But here’s where the connection is made.
No matter what comes our way, we are to abide in Christ. It’s our only hope.
It’s easy to say I will follow Jesus when everything is easy. The real test of abiding in Christ comes when hardships, troubles, hatred, suffering, and persecution come our way.
Will we stand firmly rooted in Christ, no matter what comes? Or will we be driven by our emotions rather than what’s true?
We are to abide in Christ, no matter what comes, even when it puts us in conflict with the world. That’s a fact. It’s the truth. That’s the connection Jesus is making here with the disciples.
In just hours, the disciples will experience what Jesus warned them about—they’ll be hit with a haymaker! They’ll be staggered, undone, confused, and scattered. And they all will fail.
But they are not out! Because Jesus would appear to them again, and soon they would be filled with the Holy Spirit, they would proclaim Jesus as the Christ. They all faced trials of many kinds, and all but John would be martyred, yet they remained faithful, abiding in Jesus as they witnessed to the world about Him.
And you and I are the beneficiaries of their gospel work. We have been called to go out and proclaim the gospel of Jesus, to make him known no matter what comes our way, and to stand fully rooted in him regardless of the challenges we face.
Here’s my challenge for you: Abide in Christ and let Him nourish and sustain you for the work He has called you to amidst a world that is hostile to the Gospel.
Let me give you three ways to do this. They’re the basics of Christianity, but that doesn’t mean they’re simple. It takes work.
- Put your trust in Jesus.
Decide. Settle right now who you’re going to live for—are you going to live for yourself or Jesus? Quit allowing yourself to be tossed around. Anchor yourself to the gospel. Before the “bangs” of life come, decide to believe, trust, and rest in Christ. You have agency in this. Build your life on the truth of the gospel—make that the settled direction of your life.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is true! He is present with you even amid challenging and difficult circumstances. Decide that you will not be blown all over the place by your feelings. Feel what you feel, but believe what is real.
And here’s what’s real: Just because you’ve trusted Jesus doesn’t mean your life will be trouble-free. That’s a misconception of the gospel. That has never been promised. Paul put it this way, “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
Christians will experience hatred and persecution from the world in some shape or fashion; it’s going to happen. When it does, we don’t need to be caught off guard. This is one reason Peter writes, “Don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.”
Decide right now to trust Jesus with all the circumstances of life.
- Remember who you are in Christ.
According to the Bible, Christians are children of God, chosen, loved, and redeemed. And if the Spirit of Christ lives in you, you will be different, you’ll act differently, love differently, and live differently. The difference is due to the persistent work of Jesus in you. Jesus is alive, powerful, and actively at work in his people.[4] And that means he is at work in your life. (Romans 8:10-11)
- Read the Bible!
Jesus said, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. 32 You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Christians are called to remain in God’s Word through thick and thin and to stand firmly on God’s Word.
We abide in Jesus by reading His word daily. Reading God’s word must be a central part of our daily routine. We need its nourishment; it’s like manna from heaven, we need it daily. The Bible is a gift from God. As we spend time in His word, it shapes us into conformity with Christ. As we learn to cling to Jesus, we put to death the things of the world. Treasure His word.
Christian, you are called to abide in Christ.
Application:
This brings us to our application. Here it is; it’s simple. I want you to take the next couple of minutes to talk to God about what you need to do specifically to ensure that you are abiding in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you and empower you to live for His glory, no matter what comes your way.
[1] Carter, M., & Wredberg, J. (2017). Exalting Jesus in John (pp. 312–313). Holman Reference.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 15:21–25). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 15:18–27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Carter, M., & Wredberg, J. (2017). Exalting Jesus in John (p. 310). Holman Reference.