Hating Jesus

John 7:7 - The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

Do you ever find yourself caught in the middle of the cultural battle that is raging today? Many loud voices have been calling to reverse some long-held, biblically-based definitions of right and wrong. This is hard for those of us who were taught to believe Jesus’ words that the greatest commandments are to “love God with all your heart, soul, and strength… and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) The ugliness of the battle of words and politics seems so directly opposed to the love we are supposed to live. Yet, we know there is an objective, unchanging standard of right and wrong laid out in the Bible. How can we rectify the conflict of love versus righteousness?

Perhaps you are on the other side. You have been hurt deeply by the words of Christians who have attacked you. In response, you have felt a great deal of negative emotion. Maybe even reading these words raises your heart rate. Some Christians may seem to be hypocrites who fail to live this love that they preach. When that is true, they have got Jesus wrong.

Jesus’ words in John 7:7 above clarify the reality of the conflict of our age.

First, notice the source of the hate. It is the world. The New Testament often uses the Greek word kosmos to describe the system of values, beliefs, and practices held by those in power and opposed to Christianity. It is the system. It is not individuals. Jesus died for people. Jesus loves every person. Jesus commands us to love each one. We need to remember it is the system of values, beliefs, and practices others have adopted that is the problem. We are not to hate the people who espouse them. We must love them even if we do not accept what they say and pray they will change their own beliefs to accept Christ.

Second, notice the target of the hate. It is Jesus. Jesus’ words are to remind us that when we feel the sting of hateful words in these cultural battles, it is really Jesus – his standards, words, and life – that generate the hate. These are not our own words. They are his.

Third, notice the reason for the hate. Jesus said the world’s deeds are evil. Evil is not a popular word in our relativistic age. Our world wants right and wrong to be up to each individual (with the exception of a personal conviction that there is such a thing as right and wrong). How do you feel when someone criticizes you? People want to be free to do what they want, so Jesus words about their deeds causes them to hate. Yet, Jesus’ point is that there is a difference between good deeds and evil deeds. We do not get to decide which is which, and there are consequences to our actions.

Jesus’ battle is not new, but it is real. Do not be surprised by it.