John 15:18-27


"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 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. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without a cause.' But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning." (John 15:18-27 ESV)


Hated by the World

Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality that following Him comes with opposition. "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (v. 18). The world, under the influence of sin and rebellion against God, naturally resists Christ and His followers. This is because we are no longer "of the world" but have been called out of it by Jesus. Our allegiance to Him makes us targets for the world's hostility, just as Jesus Himself was hated and persecuted.

Discipleship involves a willingness to endure this hatred and rejection for the sake of Christ. We are reminded that as followers of Jesus, we should not expect to be treated better than our Master. "A servant is not greater than his master" (v. 20). Jesus faced persecution, and so will we. Yet, this is a mark of our identification with Him, and we can take comfort in knowing that He understands our suffering and stands with us in it.

Scriptures to Study:

Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-14, John 16:33


The Rejection of Christ

The rejection of Jesus by the world is a rejection of God Himself. Jesus states, "Whoever hates me hates my Father also" (v. 23). This reflects the profound spiritual truth that to reject Christ is to reject the Father who sent Him. The works and words of Jesus reveal the Father, and those who oppose Jesus expose their separation from God.

Jesus highlights the accountability of those who witnessed His miracles and heard His teaching. They were given ample evidence of who He is, yet many chose to reject Him. This rejection was foretold in Scripture: "They hated me without a cause" (v. 25). The world's hostility toward Christ is not based on any fault in Him but stems from the sin and hardness of human hearts.

As disciples, we are called to proclaim the truth about Jesus, even knowing that many will resist or reject it. Yet, it is not our job to change hearts—that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our role is to bear witness faithfully, leaving the results to God.

Scriptures to Study:

John 1:10-11, Isaiah 53:3, Luke 10:16, Romans 1:18-21


The Helper: The Holy Spirit's Witness

In the midst of opposition and hatred from the world, Jesus assures His disciples that they will not be left alone. "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth... He will bear witness about me" (v. 26). The Holy Spirit is the divine presence who empowers believers to stand firm in their faith and testify about Jesus. He is called the "Helper" because He supports, strengthens, and guides us in the face of the world's hostility.

The Holy Spirit not only works in us but also bears witness to Christ through us. Our witness is empowered by the Spirit, ensuring that it is not based on our own strength but on God's power. As disciples, we are co-laborers with the Holy Spirit, who reveals Christ to the world through us. This means that even in the face of persecution, we can confidently speak the truth about Jesus, knowing that the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of those who hear.

Scriptures to Study:

Acts 1:8, John 16:7-15, Romans 8:16, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14


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Life Application Questions