John 15:18–25
13. a. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
The sphere we call earth is the world. Jesus is the Creator of this world. The people who inhabit this sphere are also called the world. (See John 1:10)
World—in the Greek, kosmos.Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon gives various ways this word is used in Greek literature—arrangement of stars, constitutions, universe, the heavens, the planet earth, the earth’s inhabitants, the ungodly multitude, worldly affairs, etc.
No other New Testament writer uses kosmos more often than John.
Ungodly multitude fits in the context of this passage.Society apart from God.
The term spiritually blindalso fits.
b. Why the world hates Jesus and Christians
The world—
- They hate Christians because we do not belong to the world.
- Because they persecuted Jesus, they will also persecute believers.
- They do not know the Father who sent Jesus.
- They hated Jesus without a reason.
The world does not want to abide by the word of God. They reject that God created the world, and that he created us in his image, male and female.
The world kills babies, legalizes marriage between same sex, arrests Christians for supporting God’s Word, and calls it hate speech.
14. Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
The world will hate us because wedo not belong to the world. As new creations, we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus warned us so we know what to expect.
Those of us who remain in Christ do it because we remain in the vine.
Nothing can stop the testimony of believers who abide.
15. How to interact with the world.
The world hated and persecuted Jesus. If we bear fruit and the world hates us for it, remember Jesus’ example—The opposition of the proud, the wealthy, the educated, or the men of power, no persecution or insulting remarks deterred Jesus from his work. (Barnes)
Matthew 28:19-20 — Make disciples of all nations.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)
Luke 5:29-32 — Reach the sinners
“Jesus didn’t spend time with the Pharisees and their associates or the religious scholars who thought they had their act together. “He said, “I’ve come to call notorious sinners to rethink their lives and turn to God.” (The Voice)
John 17:14-15 — Pray for protection from the evil one.
“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” (NLT)
Romans 12:2 — Instead of acting like the world, let God transform the way we think.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 — Do whatever is needed to offer salvation to all kinds of people.
Paul became a slave by his own free will to everyone in hopes that he would gather more believers.
“He said, “I’m flexible, adaptable, and able to do and be whatever is needed for all kinds of people so that in the end I can use every means at my disposal to offer them salvation.” (The Voice)
3 John 11 — Do good, not evil.
“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. (NLT)
Jesus was speaking to His apostles (which means special messengers).
Acts 1:6, 8
“So when the apostles (which means special messengers) were with Jesus…He replied, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NLT)
Not that all believers should not receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and care about the world, but He gives us different gifts and callings. Today, there are more ways to “go” than ever.
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I’m challenged to maintain a close communion with Jesus—Stay in intimate fellowship and obey.
Whenwe maintain a living communion with Jesus, He calls us friends. Just as He and God are co-laborers, Jesus sees us as His co-laborers.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for our great love for Jesus and the world. Thank you for sending Jesus. May I learn to love while I’m here. And may I bear much fruit, bringing glory to Your wonderful, holy name! Amen.
