In this sermon, Jesus is rejected by his own hometown, and John the Baptist is beheaded. The division of Jesus' message is increasing, giving us a picture of we as believers can also expect in our lives. Persecution around the world is already very real, and we should not be fooled: persecution in America is coming, and it is coming fast.
Much of Jesus' ministry on earth is dedicated to showing His disciples a "different way" to live, one which stands in stark contrast, and often opposition, to what they see in both the secular and religious worlds around them. At this point in the Gospel of John He levels with them, noting that living this different life will not gain them friends and will cause the world to hate them. They were probably surprised, however, to see just how much of that hatred came from within the church itself. Jesus has the same warning for us modern day believers...following Him will often put us at odds with both the secular world and many in the church itself, across the political and religious "left to right" spectrum. This same hatred was directed at our Savior, himself, however and our response, therefore, should be the same as His...to do the will of the Father and to bring a message of truth and love to a world that is desperate for both.
ABOUT THIS SERIES: The Gospel of John was written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life in His Name" (John 20.30). The Apostle John, as an eyewitness and close friend of Jesus', desires for us to behold His beauty, love, and glory, and believe in His power and willingness to being forgiveness and life. As we journey through the Gospel of John, we will behold the life, teachings, works, and ministry of Jesus, and will hear straight from Him who He said He is, so that we would more deeply put our hope and trust in the Man who is God.
