Why the World Hates Jesus


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

 Abrupt light after a deep darkness has a painfully blinding effect. When I was a kid, waking up in the morning was both a dreadful and difficult task (not much has changed since). My mom's solution then: turn the lights on. I definitely hated that, but it did get me up. Eventually. 

 And that is why the world hates Jesus. You see the world loves darkness. It loves its sin and lives for its sin. Our world has so fallen in love with its idols that we have redefined our terms. Sin is no longer wrong--it is who I am; the true me. We do not just excuse sin; we promote it. What was once evil, is now my freedom. Today it seems that sin has lost a lot of its former subtlety and can be seen flaunted about, rejoiced in, and held high. 

 We like our sin so much that if anyone threatens its existence there will be consequences. No one likes their idols being touched. When something consumes our worship we grow to need it. We not only desire it, but we become dependent on it. And if anyone dares to tamper with the objects of our worship--look out. 

 And here comes Jesus and He has come to take our toys away. Those things that we love and celebrate: our lifestyles, habits, patterns, pleasures that we serve. Our identities--who we are. He has come to take it all away. He has come to turn on those bright lights, but remember we do not like anyone touching our idols. 

 John 1:4-5 speaks of God in the Flesh, Jesus Christ: "In Him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

 Light is like that: it is rude. It eradicates the darkness and impedes on our slumber. Darkness, despite its best efforts, has no place to go when the light is turned on. It must go, and that is why our world hates Jesus. The Light of the World is The Great Offender who has come to dispel the darkness that we have grown so fond of. He shines his searing light into our most prized delights--and looks to dispel them. 

 A confrontation will occur, and it will be a violent one. Most will push away, hate, and fight--clutching all the while to that precious sin.

 Few will come and surrender all.

 How will you respond to the Light of the World?
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12


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