Summary of passage: The world hates believers because they were chosen by Jesus to be not of this world. The world will persecute and hate believers as they have persecuted and hated Jesus. The disciples and the Holy Spirit are to testify about Jesus. The time will come where the disciples will be thrown out of the synagogue and persecuted.
Questions:
12) Part personal Question. My answer: The human system that opposes God’s purpose and unbelievers. They hate believers because they were chosen by God. These people hate me or are indifferent to me because they are of the world and not believers. Why would I ask myself questions? It’s a fact and you deal with it and you move on with life.
13) Part personal Question. My answer: We need to be the light for others who may come out of the darkness. We are called to evangelize. By doing His will.
14a) All believers, the Holy Spirit, and the disciples.
b) Part personal Question. My answer: Because Jesus was persecuted and the world hates believers. They don’t know the Father nor Jesus, only the devil, so they follow the devil’s way which includes persecution. We must respond as Jesus would with compassion and from an understanding that they are blinded to God and do not have Jesus’ heart.
Conclusions: Repetitive in terms of how you are living for Christ and bearing fruit. Talked about this last year as well in our Revelation study. In essence, Satan works through unbelievers. He tells them to hate us and persecute us. He blinds them to the Truth. We must understand it is Satan at work and not take it personally. We must be like Christ and still shine bright despite the encroaching darkness around us.
End Notes: Jesus warns his disciples they will be hated. All except John were martyred. First the world hated Jesus, then them. “You or Ye know” or “keep in mind” means be aware or be very sure.
The disciples were different from the world. If people don’t know God, they persecute those who do. Those persecuted (Christians) should sympathize for unbelievers because they don’t know God.
Because Jesus was God walking around on the earth, there is no excuse not to know God or more about Him. Both his works and his words are enough to know Him.
Jesus quotes the Psalm here to show Scriptural fulfillment.
Jesus previously spoke of the sending of the Counselor (John 14:16, 14:26). The departing Jesus knew the disciples would need the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit to face the opposition the world would bring.
“Who proceeds from the Father” or “whom I will send to you from the Father”: This is one source of a historic controversy between the eastern and western branches of Christianity, debating if the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone or from the Father and the Son (known as the filoque clause in the Nicene Creed).
The Holy Spirit’s job is to tell us and show us what Jesus would do and who he is.
The disciples’ job is also to bear witness for Jesus.
Jesus did not want his disciples to be surprised by opposition against them so he tells them they will be thrown out of the synagogue, which for a Jewish person is ostracism from all they know.
Most Christian martyrs are killed by followers of other religions. Jesus is preparing his disciples because up until this point all hatred was against Jesus himself. When Jesus departs, it will fall upon the disciples to bear. He will not be there to protect them. It wasn’t pertinent until this moment. God’s timing.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
