Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 4, 2013 - 5th Week of Easter - Sat
[Acts 16:1-10 and John 15:18-21]If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.
The ever-flexible and synthetic English language makes biblical study a constant challenge! How does one translate the term "world" into a spiritually helpful idea? It's not as if Jesus hates "the world." Remember John 3:15: "God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son...." We use that word to mean so many things. "I think a world of that person." "He or she lives in his or her own world." "The news of the world....." "Alaska is another world!" (I just finished preaching up there!)
In the Gospel of John, the "world" is a "constellation" of values and beliefs that are hostile to Jesus and his teachings. This hostility was being felt acutely by the community for whom the Gospel of John was originally composed. In our own day, this hostility may be religious or secular! What Jesus is saying to his disciples is an assurance of "solidarity." He knows what it is like to endure hostility and persecution. In short, they're not alone! Indeed, hostility may be an easier enemy to face than indifference. At least all of us can know that Jesus did not abandon any of his disciples, then and now. He is our preaching partner! AMEN