Reflection on Jn 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world,

but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

The term “the world” does not mean the wonderful work of creation but the godless system which hates Christ as well as all who are dedicated to the service of Christ. Jesus speaks about this hatred by the world and warns all of us who desire to follow Jesus in earnest that we must be prepared for hatred and persecution by the world. “Because you are not of the world … therefore the world hates you.” People of this world have received the spirit of the world and therefore they persecute true Christians. Moreover, if they kill them, they will believe that they offer God service (Jn 16:2). Those who condemned Christ to death – religious hierarchy, the Pharisees and the scribes – believed so, and it is the same today. Why? Because the world lies under the sway of the ruler of this world. Jesus says: “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. (Now is the judgment of this world.)” (Jn 12:31)

The Apostle John writes: “Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1Jo 5:4-5) And next: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1Jo 2:15-17) And he continues: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1Jo 4:4-6) “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the Evil One.” (1Jo 5:19) Jesus Himself says on the evening before His death: “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over Me.” (Jn 14:30)

And then Jesus says: “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (Jn 17:14) “As You (Father) sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (Jn 17:18) “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)

From these words of Christ and His Apostle John we understand that we cannot be on friendly terms with the spirit of this world if we want to be in union with Christ and have His Spirit.

As for persecution, Jesus says clearly that a faithful disciple who wants to serve Christ cannot pursue a career in the world, serve the world or use its methods. The world persecuted and crucified Christ. His disciples must be prepared for the same fate. Jesus speaks about it: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.” And on the evening before His death, Jesus warns the Apostles and us as well: “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues (out of their heretical anti-Church). Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me (because they have not been converted and have not repented). But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them.” (Jn 16:1-4) Jesus speaks about the persecution of His disciples not only the night before His death but also in the Sermon on the Mount. The last of the Beatitudes reads: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. … Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:10-12) Jesus says that we should rejoice but we are sad. Why? Because we do not know the Word of God or forget it, and we do not live it in practice! We should rejoice!

Let us think of thousands of martyrs who bore the bitterest humiliation, suffering and torture for the sake of Christ. Jesus was with them and strengthened them. The Apostles received the Spirit of God and became ‘martyres’, witnesses and martyrs of Christ. The fullness of the Holy Spirit was given not only to them but to us as well. We only need to return to this reality time and again and to be aware that He who is in us, i.e. Jesus, is stronger than he who is in the world. If we are united with Christ, we are conquerors even if the world seemingly prevails over us. There is need of only one thing on our part: to be with Jesus who is in us. Jesus repeats it so many times: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…” (Jn 15:7)

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