April 6 -- John 15:18-27
“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.” –John 15:19 (NIV)

Jesus reminded His disciples that the world would hate and persecute them because the world hated and persecuted Him. He referred to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who saw the miracles and yet did not believe, saying that they were guilty of sin because of this (vv. 22 & 24). They hated Jesus without reason, which means they must have hated the Father as well. They saw God in the flesh and turned away and despised Him for nothing but self-centered reasons.
The unbelief of most of the world does not surprise God, however. It was prophesied. Jesus’ goodness and perfection reveals the world’s sin and depravity in contrast. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who thought of themselves as good, must have really hated this. And this attitude continues today. People don’t like to be reminded that they are sinners, so they shrink from the holiness of Jesus (see John 3:19). If they only knew that in confession and forgiveness there is freedom! That’s why believers share the Good News.
After Jesus talked to His disciples about the unbelief of the world, He began telling them that they would receive the Holy Spirit and that He would testify about Jesus. So, even though the world would hate and persecute them, the Holy Spirit would always be with them to give them the words to testify about Jesus. The Holy Spirit is still with us, and He still gives us wisdom and the words to speak when we need them.
Consider: Have I ever been treated differently because of my faith—even mistreated or hated? What was that like? Do I know anyone who is hostile to Christianity? How might I continue to testify about Jesus—both in the way I live and with the words I speak—so that the world may see Christ’s love in me? Talk to God about these things and ask Him to give you the courage to live a life of faith and love, even when doing so makes you the outcast or the odd one in the room.
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