John 15:18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

Jesus prepared the minds of his disciples for what they would soon face, once he had been crucified. He made it plain that since he had been rejected, they should expect to be treated in the same way. The only way they would be able to face the difficulties is if they would always be mindful that “No servant is greater than his master.”

Today, we who are followers of Jesus have to remind ourselves of this as many believers are facing challenges to their faith and, in some cases, physical harm and deprivation. Jesus said: “They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” (John 15: 21).

Jesus pointed out that those who hate him and his Father are guilty of sin and are without excuse because (a) he has come and spoken to them; (b) he has done what no one else has done by demonstrating his power by many miracles. Again, he noted that this rejection of him is a fulfillment of what is written in their Law: “They hated me without reason.” (John 15: 25).

In a conversation with Philip who asked Jesus to show him the Father, Jesus responded: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (John 14:9–11). The people of Jesus’ day heard him speak and saw the miracles.  Many believed but many did not. In fact many hated him, indeed, without a cause. Where do you stand?