What Jesus Did! 'Hating the Father' — John 15:21-25

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

[Jesus continued, "The world will hate and persecute] you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: 'They hated me without cause.'"
— John 15:21-25 NLT

Key Thought

When Jesus' disciples today face rejection, persecution, hardship, and hatred because of their faith, they need to know that they are not alone. Jesus also faced these things. Other Christians before them have faced these things. That rejection, whether today or in years past, is not the rejection of the disciple, but the rejection of God. Jesus' disciples never face hardship alone. They are surrounded by a huge cloud of witnesses testifying that it is worth every effort and hardship to endure to the end. They are accompanied by a God who lives inside them by his Spirit and promises never to leave them or forsake them. Jesus' disciples must not take their persecution and mistreatment personally; they're not being rejected, but God and his will and his grace are being rejected. As Jesus' disciples, we need to be faithful, and we will find the victory crown of life that awaits us!

Today's Prayer

Give me courage, dear Father, so that I will always live passionately and faithfully for you and your Kingdom. Give me the strength never to compromise my faith, my integrity, or my morals when facing hardship, scrutiny, or mistreatment. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 12:1-4
  • Luke 10:16
  • 2 Timothy 3:10-14

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Despised?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, During My earthly ministry, I warned My disciples that following Me would not be easy. The words you read in the verses below were..."

Illustration

Illustration of John 15:21-25 NLT — Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 Peter 2:17
"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'For Those Who Search' (Ps. 70:4-5)
"May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" But as for me,...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Christians Have God’s Spirit, Not the World’s'
"Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person’s spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!