John 15:18-27   Hatred.. such a hard word.. such a sad word.. a word that comes all too easy to some, but a word that I find hard to even speak.  Jesus did not hold back as He spoke to His disciples about hatred.  These were hard truths that they needed to understand. We need to understand it too. 

Verse 18 " If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you."  The "world"  speaks of  the earth and its inhabitants .. all those who have not been chosen "out of the world".. the godless, those who hate Jesus and hate the Father. These would "hate" the disciples just like they hated Jesus. 

This hatred would result in persecution. The disciples of Jesus are pursued, mistreated, harassed, and pressed toward a different end. The world will always try to turn believers away from the Truth and back into the darkness that it dwells in.  The world, Jesus says, does not know the One who sent Him and so they will seek to destroy those who do. 

Jesus said that those who heard His words and saw His works were and are "without excuse for their sin." 

 He also told His disciples that the Holy Spirit who is "sent to your from the Father" would bear witness of Him and that they would also be His witnesses.  They would share His words and tell of His works.. they would give opportunities to others so that they might love Him and love the Father.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way we can turn from hatred to love.  When we chose to believe and follow Jesus we find life.. a life of love and oneness.  When we turn away from the truth we remain in a world that hates.. a world that brings persecution and pain... a world without love, hope, and joy that come from fellowship with God. 

Father in heaven,  live in us and fill us with Your holy love.  We, who have believed in Jesus Christ.. who confess that He came in the flesh.. that He died on a cruel cross.. and that He rose again to victory and that He now awaits the day when He will call us to be with Him.. we love You and know that You are love.  Fill us Spirit of truth and remove all hatred and unbelief.. all sin from Your people.  Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, Holy Father.  Let Your love make us complete in Christ Jesus that we might show others the greatness of Your perfect love..  we pray this in Jesus' name. . Amen.