Day 304

John 15:18-17:26.  “Hated”

         “A Christian may esteem it as one evidence of his piety that he is hated by wicked men.  Often most decided evidence is given that a man is the friend of God by the opposition excited against him by the [worldly].”  --Albert Barnes, late 1800’s Bible scholar.
         It settles a little uneasy to hear that someone hates you.  A little confrontation is bad enough, but hatred… and then to hear why… because “Jesus chose us” and because it hates Him.  And then to take it a step further, Jesus told His disciples that they would be persecuted and killed by those who “think they are doing God a service.”
         Did all this daunting news scare off the disciples?  Did hatred and persecution deter Jesus from the work He set out to do?  No, and I’m eternally grateful that it did not keep Him from His task.  Personally, we need this exhortation to press on despite persecution and hatred.  Instead of discouraging us, prayerfully persecution will do just the opposite.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?