The Gospel of John: John 15.18-27

Read and meditate on John 15.23, 24.
It wasn’t just His teaching that exposed people’s sin and made them hate Him. His works also, works of goodness and light, highlighted the darkness of their deeds, with predictable results.

                                              ²³ “I say
that he who hates Me, hates My Father, too.
²⁴If I had not among them come to do
the works which no one else could do, then they
would have no sin. But as it is, though they
have seen the works, they nonetheless hate Me,
and hate My Father, too.”

- John 15.23, 24

Reflect
1.  Jesus went about doing good works, as Peter explained to Cornelius, and practically everyone knew this about Him (Acts 10.36-38). Why should people hate Jesus for doing good works? What was about His good works that incited people to hate Him? Complete the following prayer: It’s hard to understand, Lord, why people should resent good works, but let that not…

2.  How is Jesus using the word hate here? What does He mean? Is hate always a bad thing (cf. Ps. 97.10)? Does it always take an angry or violent form? What does it look like when someone hates Jesus? When someone hates sin? Let me not fear the anger of those who hate You, Lord, but…

3.  According to Jesus, anyone who professes to love God, but does not love Jesus, is misguided. Jesus made it clear that He and the Father are One, so to hate Him is to hate God the Father. Do people today think they can believe in God, perhaps even love Him, and yet reject Jesus, or at least, not believe in Him as Savior? Jesus would have none of that. Should we? How should we respond to someone who says he loves God but doesn’t believe in Jesus? Lord, give me grace to speak to people about You the way You spoke to them, and to make it clear to them that…

4.  They hated Jesus, which means they also hated the Father. And they will hate us, too (v. 19). The thought of that might deter us from bearing witness to Jesus. Why? How can we overcome this concern about others hating us? How did Jesus overcome it? Lord, You have called me to be Your witness, so I should expect that…

5.  No matter how many good works we do, or how clearly, patiently, and graciously we explain the Good News, there will always be some people who will hate us as a result. Does this mean there’s something wrong with our faith? Or with Christianity? When we experience this, what should we conclude about our witness? That we’ve failed? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“If the Jews were asked whether they loved God, they would have replied that of course they loved him, not intentionally lying but only erroneously thinking they did. For how could those who hated the Truth love the Father of the Truth? They had no desire to have their conduct condemned, and yet it is the task of truth to condemn such conduct. And so, they hated the Truth even though at the time, they did not know he was the truth who came to condemn them. Therefore, they hate what they do not know. And hating it, they certainly cannot do anything else but hate him from whom he was born. Because they do not know the truth who is condemning them as the one who is born of God the Father, it is certain that they not only do not know the Father but also hate the Father himself.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

We need to get used to the fact that some people will not like us not matter how gracious we are or how many good works we do. But we must not allow the fear of being disliked deter us from speaking truth and doing good. How can Christians help one another to stand firm in the face of others’ hatred?

Closing Prayer
Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 25.4-10

Psalm 25.4-10 (Festal Song: Revive Thy Work, O Lord)
Make me to know Your ways, teach me Your paths, O Lord!
My Savior, all day long I wait and seek You in Your Word.

Remember mercy, Lord, and steadfast love to me!
And all my sins before You let them not remembered be!

My sins have been of old, Your love is new each day;
According to Your goodness, Lord, regard my sinful way.

Upright and good are You, You lead us in Your way;
The humble You instruct in truth and guide him day by day.

The paths of God are all of love and faithfulness;
All they who keep His covenant the Lord will surely bless.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.