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PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In the last of our devotionals, taken from Jesus’ teaching in John 15, we hear the Lord warn those who choose to abide in him, follow his command, and be known as friends. Those who bear the name of Jesus Christ and in whom the Lord is working to bear much fruit can expect to find opposition from those whose treasure is firmly planted in the things of this world.

Listen to what the Lord has to say to those who choose to follow his command and example:

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

(John 15:18-21 NIV11) 

Not Know

In the last line of this passage we hear the reason for the way that the people of the world treat the people of the Christ. They do not know what they are doing. They do not really know the god that they think they are rejecting and they do not know the truth of the scriptures that they seek to discredit. 

When Jesus was suffering on the cross he prayed forgiveness over those who had driven the nails into his body and lifted him up on the cross. His attackers did not know the true nature of Jesus of Nazareth otherwise they would have responded to him with fear and trembling. And in the same way, the people of the world still attack the followers of Jesus and because of the same ignorance.

Family

Jesus experienced rejected even by his own family. It was not just the hard-hearted religious leaders who chose to reject and malign Jesus, his own family members sought to use him for their own benefit as well. 

Listen to the scene that is presented to us in the following passage:

1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.

(John 7:1-7 NIV11)

Jesus’ half-brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55) no more believed that Jesus was the Immanuel, God with us, than did those standing around the cross. They knew Jesus of course, but they did not truly know his purpose and nature, otherwise they would have worshiped him rather than try and manipulate him. 

Verse 7

In John 7:7, Jesus gives is a clear understanding of why so many people reject the Lord. As God the Son, Jesus was and is one with the holy and righteous Creator. His perfection and glory, even while hidden on earth, cause those whose hearts are set on evil to turn against the Lord. 

As Jesus Christ spoke the words of God to the people around him, even his own family, those who were focused on living by the standards of the world became incensed with Jesus because his word exposed the evil in their hearts. 

Rather than repenting from this evil, many simply chose to turn against Jesus, against God, and against all that is found in the message of scripture. To these troubled hearts, there must be a sense of relief in rejecting the Lord as they feel they will no longer be subjected to conviction. But by doing so, they only push their pain a little further down the road. 

Today

As you go through your day today, you may not experience any form of direct persecution because you are known as a follower of Christ. If that is true, be thankful for the freedom and protection that the Lord has provided you. 

But remember those who are daily facing the ridicule of family, the attacks of their governments, and the threats of those who want to destroy the things of God. Lift them up in your thoughts and prayers and prepare yourself for your next encounter with those who do not know any better.

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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