Who could hate Jesus?

Who Could Hate Jesus?

By Dudley Hall www.sclm.org


Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their law must be fulfilled: "They hated me without a cause." John 15:23-25 (ESV)
In a politically correct culture, no one admits to hating. It is just not cool to own that kind of negative energy. After all, we are tolerant of everyone and are unwilling to hint that there is a wrong or right. On the other hand, Jesus is not bound by the stifling cords of artificial tolerance. He defines hatred in terms of the choice to reject what is obvious. Those who were impressed with his kindness and wisdom, and enjoyed seeing him perform unusual miracles, yet neglected his claim to be the only way to the Father, HATED him.
They hated him, not because there was no flaw in him, but because there was a fatal flaw in them. They had to pay false witnesses at his trial. There has never been any evidence that he was anything except what he claimed.
Some want to appease him by admitting that he is one of the great religion leaders of all time. That is insulting to the One who is the only fully righteous man who ever lived, and the only one whose death paid the eternal penalty of mankind's sin. He will not be patronized. He cannot be grouped with any other figures of history. He stands alone as the God-Man. You cannot take his teachings and neglect his death and resurrection. He is not one of many viable options. He is the only option if one is to be reconciled to God.
It is popular to believe that one can have an acceptable relationship with God without having to relate to Jesus at all. "God can be found in nature, in art, in science, and in self," they contend. Jesus said that all would have to approach God through him. If one does encounter the revelation of God in creation he or she will fall on his face being aware of his or her need of a mediator. There is no relating to God without a mediator. Someone was required to make atonement for sin. The Father and the Son are one. If you reject one, you reject the other.
The problem is that mankind is infected with what the Bible calls sin. It is the power that energizes independence from God. It operates in fear of God the Father. Afraid that he would impose his order, mankind runs away from the only person who can satisfy the longings of our heart. Fatherless and fearful, we try to define ourselves apart from God. We know he is right in our conscience. We see it in creation. We have heard about it in the Bible, but when all the clues are brought to fruition in the perfect person, and we reject it, that is the sin that dooms.
Jesus told the disciples about this dynamic so that when they were persecuted without a real cause, they would understand. If we are to stand in this culture as witnesses of Christ, we will need to know this. Those who reject his word will reject us as witnesses of his word. But those who hear him will hear us. Our focus is on identifying these people and joining them in the great chorus of praise and obedience.