Skip to content

Commentaries
English
John
  
3. The world hates Christ and his disciples
(John 15:18 – 16:3)
18"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.19If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.20Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also."


After Jesus had demonstrated his perfect union with God, and prophesied the coming of the Spirit of Consolation, he prepared them to endure the world’s hatred of them.
The world is opposed to Christian fellowship. Hatred rules the world, but love guards Christian fellowship. Jesus does not take his disciples out from a world of mishaps to transport them to a happy island. He sends them into an evil environment, for his love to overcome fierce hatred. This mission is no picnic, but a spiritual struggle. Those who advocate love face rejection, animosity and berating, while they serve, not because of their own failings, but arising from the opposition incited by evil spirits against Jesus’ words. Their Lord, who was perfect in love and wisdom faced that hatred unto death. Despite this severe persecution, he did not flee from the battlefield or leave the world, but died loving those who detested him.
None of us is an angel; from our hearts proceed evil thoughts. But by Christ’s grace, a new Spirit has come on us. Repentance means change of mind. He that is born of the Spirit is not of the world but of the Lord. He chose us from this world. The word "Church" in Greek means the assembly of the chosen and called out from the world, to carry responsibilities. So the world looks on the Church as an oddity. This separation causes serious splits and deep distress in a family as Jesus experienced (John 7:2-9). In this state, he who abides in Christ needs added wisdom and humility to endure mocking and persecution. If you find yourself in such circumstances, do not forget that Jesus went through the same without cause. Because he loved them, and healed them they crucified him as a criminal.
Jesus has a great promise for you, that though men will torture and fight you, some of them will listen to your testimony, as they listened to his. Just as the word empowered with the Spirit caused faith and love to blossom in the hearers, even so your testimony will create life eternal in some of those who hear you. Every Christian is an ambassador of Christ in a world of hostility. So justify your heavenly calling.