The Norm Is Persecution

Lesson #252

We learned from the last two lessons that if we are living godly lives there is a good chance we will be hated by the world. In this lesson a similarity will be drawn between us and Jesus. “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20 ESV). Jesus was reminding the disciples to think back to when he had washed their feet and in the course of the conversation then he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16 ESV). The implication we mentioned at the time was that we need to follow the examples set by Jesus. If we were greater than Jesus, then we wouldn’t be obligated to be obedient to him, but he to us. In this context it follows that if they persecuted Jesus then we can expect they will persecute us since we represent him.

When Jesus spoke there were those who believed and embraced what he said and there were those who rejected it as either false or of no value. I find the same is true when I share the word with others; some will believe and others will reject it. The closer we walk with Jesus and the more like him we become, greater will be the likelihood that we will be hated and what we say will be rejected.

Many who are persecuted today are told to deny Jesus and stop following him and maybe follow another religion and if they do they will no longer be persecuted. Jesus told his disciples, “But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” (John 15:21 ESV). It is not us they don’t like, but the one we associate with and obediently follow. Identifying yourself with and being a witness of Jesus, quickly draws a line in the sand, making many very uncomfortable. There are even those who identify themselves with the Christian faith who become uncomfortable when Jesus is placed front and center of them. Jesus clearly divides the population into two parts; those who embrace him and those denounce him. You might say there is a third group who don’t know about Jesus or don’t care, but in the end they are with the group that is not with Jesus. The bottom line is if they do not know Jesus or accept him, then they really don’t know God the Father. If they did, they would believe Jesus.

Prayer

Father, as I think about how to pray at the end of this lesson, I am reminded of my readers who live here in the US and those located in many different foreign countries. There are many readers with so many different needs. Here in the US we need to be willing to set aside our addiction to safety, security and comfort and initiate conversation with people we often ignore. There are readers in foreign lands who face persecution and need our prayers for encouragement and steadfastness in their faith as they endure suffering. There are others who are simply going through hard times who need encouragement and a loving helping hand from someone. There are others who are searching who want to know more about Christianity and how Jesus can meet their needs. Father, I pray for my readers that they would experience your love, your presence, your mercy, the kindness of your grace, and the hand of your blessing as they walk in hope with the Lord Jesus.