Lent Day 34: Born to love, but hated by the world

It's mystifying how people who claim they are serving God can be hateful to God and to each other.
Jesus says that anyone who is cruel to followers of Jesus and persecutes them would have done the same to himself. As his servants, we will encounter the same harm and suffering as our master.

‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

'Remember what I told you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 

"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 

> Jesus doesn't mince words. He has said that he and his Father are One (God.) Those who reject him are rejecting God. (You can't get any clearer than that.)

> In fact, the hatred shown to Jesus and his followers is hatred shown to God. No proof, no miracle, no loving act will be enough for those who decide not to accept him as the Messiah.

Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: “They hated me without reason.” (John 15:18-25)
> Are you willing to carry the shame and hardships that come with following Jesus? OR are you just along for the ride as long as there are benefits and blessings?

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