Hated Without Cause: The Rejection of Christ and His Followers
Jesus: Hated Without a Cause
Think of what it means to be hated without cause. The rejection of Jesus was not due to wrongdoing or failure, and not just a fulfillment of prophecy as he stated in John 15:25, “But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’” but also a reflection of the world’s hostility toward divine light and truth.
Jesus said, in John 1518-25, the world hated him and they will hate us. If the world hates you, remember—it hated Him first. You don’t belong to the world anymore; you are chosen from the world and that’s why the world rejects you. Just as they persecuted him, they’ll do the same to you. They’ll oppose you because they don’t truly know God and the truth.
Jesus spoke truth and performed miracles that revealed who he was, so they have no excuse. Their hatred toward him is also hatred toward the Father and fulfills what Scripture said: “They hated Me without a reason.”
This echoes the lament of David in the Psalms, which foreshadowed Christ’s experience: “Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.” (Psalm 35:19, ESV). People who pretend to be your friend, winking face to face but behind your back talk and gossip about you are of the worst character. The light exposes darkness and operates in transparency not shadowy ways.
“More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.” (Psalm 69:4, ESV)
Jesus, though sinless and compassionate, was despised by many. His miracles, teachings, and truth exposed the darkness of human hearts, provoking hatred in many rather than repentance. We are not as spotless as Jesus, and if they hated him, finding justification for it even in tradition and laws, they will surely do the same to us.
Believers: Not of the World
Jesus made it clear that His followers are distinct from the world. This separation is not merely cultural—it is spiritual. In John 15:19, He says:
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19, ESV)
This theme continues in Jesus’s prayer to the Father:
“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.” (John 17:14, ESV)
The world is under the influence of the power of darkness, Ephesians 2:1-3. To be “not of the world” means we are different, set apart from the world. That we are born a new of the Spirit means we have an inheritance with the saints in the Light, having been rescued and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, Colossians 1:13.
Jesus cautions that false teachers may appear harmless or even godly, but their intentions are destructive. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15. Peter warns that false teachers will infiltrate the church, introducing destructive heresies, 2 Peter 2:1.
Paul describes a future where people prefer comforting lies over biblical truth, gathering teachers who suit their desires. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, rather according to their lusts, raise up teachers themselves, tickling their ears, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths,” 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
Jesus: Hated Without a Cause
Think of what it means to be hated without cause. The rejection of Jesus was not due to wrongdoing or failure, and not just a fulfillment of prophecy as he stated in John 15:25, “But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’” but also a reflection of the world’s hostility toward divine light and truth.
Jesus said, in John 1518-25, the world hated him and they will hate us. If the world hates you, remember—it hated Him first. You don’t belong to the world anymore; you are chosen from the world and that’s why the world rejects you. Just as they persecuted him, they’ll do the same to you. They’ll oppose you because they don’t truly know God and the truth.
Jesus spoke truth and performed miracles that revealed who he was, so they have no excuse. Their hatred toward him is also hatred toward the Father and fulfills what Scripture said: “They hated Me without a reason.”
This echoes the lament of David in the Psalms, which foreshadowed Christ’s experience: “Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.” (Psalm 35:19, ESV). People who pretend to be your friend, winking face to face but behind your back talk and gossip about you are of the worst character. The light exposes darkness and operates in transparency not shadowy ways.
“More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.” (Psalm 69:4, ESV)
Jesus, though sinless and compassionate, was despised by many. His miracles, teachings, and truth exposed the darkness of human hearts, provoking hatred in many rather than repentance. We are not as spotless as Jesus, and if they hated him, finding justification for it even in tradition and laws, they will surely do the same to us.
Believers: Not of the World
Jesus made it clear that His followers are distinct from the world. This separation is not merely cultural—it is spiritual. In John 15:19, He says:
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19, ESV)
This theme continues in Jesus’s prayer to the Father:
“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.” (John 17:14, ESV)
The world is under the influence of the power of darkness, Ephesians 2:1-3. To be “not of the world” means we are different, set apart from the world. That we are born a new of the Spirit means we have an inheritance with the saints in the Light, having been rescued and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, Colossians 1:13.
This contrast inevitably invites opposition. People will hate us without cause like they hated Jesus.
Sharing in Christ’s Rejection
Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would mean facing the same hostility He endured:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18, ESV)
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20, ESV)
This is not a call to despair, but to perseverance. The hatred of the world confirms our identity in Christ. As Paul wrote:
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)
Sharing in Christ’s Rejection: A Religious System That Seeks Its Own Glory
Jesus came among his own and his own did not receive him, John 1:9-11. The Pharisees opposed Jesus for breaking their rules, for healing on the Sabbath, and for challenging their authority, and exposing their hypocrisy (Matthew 12:14, ESV). The religious leaders who pretended to be fruit bearing Jesus vehemently opposed, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13, ESV)
The religious leaders rejected Jesus, plotting his death to preserve their power and influence, just like the parable of the vineyard he told. Though rooted in a God-given system, they had chose legalism, authoritarianism, pride, and tradition, ultimately rejecting the very Messiah their Scriptures foretold.
Sharing in Christ’s Rejection
Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would mean facing the same hostility He endured:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18, ESV)
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20, ESV)
This is not a call to despair, but to perseverance. The hatred of the world confirms our identity in Christ. As Paul wrote:
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)
Sharing in Christ’s Rejection: A Religious System That Seeks Its Own Glory
Jesus came among his own and his own did not receive him, John 1:9-11. The Pharisees opposed Jesus for breaking their rules, for healing on the Sabbath, and for challenging their authority, and exposing their hypocrisy (Matthew 12:14, ESV). The religious leaders who pretended to be fruit bearing Jesus vehemently opposed, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13, ESV)
The religious leaders rejected Jesus, plotting his death to preserve their power and influence, just like the parable of the vineyard he told. Though rooted in a God-given system, they had chose legalism, authoritarianism, pride, and tradition, ultimately rejecting the very Messiah their Scriptures foretold.
Jesus said: “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:8, ESV).
Jesus cautions that false teachers may appear harmless or even godly, but their intentions are destructive. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15. Peter warns that false teachers will infiltrate the church, introducing destructive heresies, 2 Peter 2:1.
Paul describes a future where people prefer comforting lies over biblical truth, gathering teachers who suit their desires. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, rather according to their lusts, raise up teachers themselves, tickling their ears, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths,” 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
They put teachers in place, not God, who tickle their ears, “Googoo gaagaa,” you are such a good little baby. Paul writes of the heart of a system that rejects God’s purpose in the church, mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-16, “... no longer existing children tossed to and fro and blown about in human cunningness and craftiness of deceitful scheming.”
It is human cunningness, and deceitful scheming (men devising doctrines and traditions that enforce their lusts; pride, greed, control, and power over others) at work to undermine God’s purpose.
Encouragement in the Midst of Hatred
Though the world may reject us, and even a false religious system, we are not abandoned. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit—the Helper—to strengthen and guide us into the truth: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” (John 15:26, ESV)
John urges believers to be spiritually discerning, recognizing that many false ministers are active in the world. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...”
Jesus reminds us of our blessedness among rejection: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11, ESV)
Conclusion
Jesus was hated without cause, fulfilling the scriptures and revealing the depth of the sinful human heart. As His followers, we are called to live set apart—holy and faithful—even when the world, family, and even religious people oppose us. This hatred is not a sign of failure, but of faithfulness. In being rejected, we are drawn closer to the One who was rejected first, in whom is eternal acceptance and life.
Encouragement in the Midst of Hatred
Though the world may reject us, and even a false religious system, we are not abandoned. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit—the Helper—to strengthen and guide us into the truth: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” (John 15:26, ESV)
John urges believers to be spiritually discerning, recognizing that many false ministers are active in the world. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...”
Jesus reminds us of our blessedness among rejection: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11, ESV)
Conclusion
Jesus was hated without cause, fulfilling the scriptures and revealing the depth of the sinful human heart. As His followers, we are called to live set apart—holy and faithful—even when the world, family, and even religious people oppose us. This hatred is not a sign of failure, but of faithfulness. In being rejected, we are drawn closer to the One who was rejected first, in whom is eternal acceptance and life.