Getting to Know Jesus

Experiencing the Gospel of John Together

A Lent Devotional | February 17 - April 5, 2010

As you read ask the questions –
  What does this passage show us about Jesus?
  What is God saying to me in this passage?
  What questions/prayers do I have for God?

Read the full introduction… 

« March 24: Comfort in time of need | March 22: Effective service »
Monday
Mar222010

March 23: Jesus is unrelenting

John 15:18-25  TNIV from Biblegateway.com

 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Those who hate me hate my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ 

Devotional Comments:

   Jesus is saying ‘don’t worry about being part of the world, don’t worry about being cast out, don’t worry about being hated, just keep preaching.’ 

   As we get to know Jesus, this passage poses a more aggressive picture of Jesus than we might usually see.  While it is easy to view this passage as a ‘downer’, talking only of the hardships of following Jesus, an important character trait of Jesus is brought to light: no matter how much the world may hate Jesus, he is going to continue his work.  As his followers, we should continue our work too! 

   Jesus is challenging us, pressuring us to throw off our worldly concerns about acceptance, comfort and ease, and embrace the difficult life.  The life lived counter-culturally.  The life mocked by the world.  While this may seem like a tall order, we can be comforted not only by the fact that Jesus is with us every moment as we may endure, but that he has already endured the same sorts of things and more.  He is calling us to be unrelenting in our dedication to the proclamation of His word.

   Jesus, help me to throw off the ideas of the world, embrace life as you are calling me to live, and enjoy the peace of your presence with me everyday.  Amen.

   Corinne Stoter                        

Pray for courage to live out your faith even in the face of great difficulty.