Fifth Sunday in Lent

Jesus Rejected

My brothers and sisters when we consider all the works that Christ did during his time here on earth, his teaching, his miracles, his healings, that He was one who preached the gospel of peace to all people, it may come as a surprise that He was hated and rejected by many. We find this in our Gospel lesson today, that there were those who despised and rejected him and sought any way to tear him down. It should be no surprise then that we as Christians encounter this same push back, and indeed should expect it for the world does not wish to hallow God’s name or let His Kingdom come, but is driven by that ancient serpents which infected the hearts of men and then and infects them still to this very day. I speak of Satan himself who is the source of division and strife, and every animosity that comes against Christ, His bride the Church, and the children of God. So let us learn today of the hatred that the world has towards Christ its savior, the persecution that we ought to expect as Children of God, and why we should not be afraid but cling to Christ.

The great hatred the World has towards Christ

We start in the middle of an argument here, and are already 8 chapters into the Gospel of St. John, at this point Jesus has changed water into wine, has fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, and has healed people even on the Sabbath day. He was causing quite the stir and his teachings did not fit well with the teachings of the Pharisees which is who is meant when it says here the Jews.

We come into the middle of the debate as it has become quite heated, they have accused Christ of being born of sexual immorality, that is to say that his mother was adulterous, and this must be why he would spare the women caught in adultery. Jesus speaks to them to the correct them saying if God were their Father and even Abraham, then they would love him for He comes from God. But because they cannot bear to hear his words and instead slander him, it shows that their true father is the devil.

Now these Words are without a doubt harsh to the group of people as Jesus calls them out in their sin and accuses them of great wickedness. But we witness the hardness of their heart as they do not wish to hear God’s word or listen to what Christ is saying. They even go so far as to accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan that is a Jew whose blood had been tainted, or having a demon inside of him.

So Jesus corrects them yet again, and points them back to His heavenly father, and yet there response is double-down on the fact that this man who has been feeding thousands, changing water into wine, must be from the devil himself. He again tells them that if they keep his words they will never see death, and they scoff and mock him. Jesus finally reveals who He is to them, that before Abraham was, I am. So they picked up stones to kill him.

Consider the great hatred that the people here have towards the truth, that they are willing to go so far as to kill the Son of God. How great and horrible is the darkness of sin in the human heart. For Christ himself who has performed all of these miracles is speaking to them words of truth and life, they reject and hate him more and more.

2. The Persecution that we should expect

We should not be surprised when the world responds in this way to the Church, Christians throughout the centuries have faced persecution as our Lord and Savior has. The question that we are left with quite often is why? Why do so many hate the church with such great hatred? Why do they harden their hearts and their minds in the face of the truth.

We must never doubt that the devil is a real and powerful force that sought not only to destroy the Son of God himself, but when He could no longer strike out at him, he then turned against His followers. This is seen in the bloody and violent persecutions early off in the history of the Church and is seen still today around the world. This is a difficult thing for us to understand, and yet we quite often see it not only inside of our neighbors but in ourselves as well. For it has to do with the guilt and shame that comes when we are brought face to face with the truth.

It is not easy to realize that there is a God, and you are not Him. That you have been in the wrong, that you have been living wrong, that you aren’t good enough on your own to get into heaven. In short that you are a sinner. That makes people feel bad, especially if they take great pride in themselves and their accomplishments, especially if they are used to everyone looking up to them in this life. So when the light of truth shines on what has been hidden in darkness, it can be explosive. To suddenly find out that your life is not your own to do with whatever you want, and as you have been chasing after your own desires and wants and who you wanted to be might be wrong. This is why the pharisees hated him, on the outside they looked like good people, in terms of good works they would have put us all to shame, but the light of Christ revealed the truth.

The pharisees are not the only ones like this there are many and the devil persuades folks that they don’t have to see the ugliness of their sin, if they can shut off that light. Since we reflect the light of Christ, that light that shines in the darkness of this world, the world will not receive us kindly either. The devil will gladly point the finger at us and condemn those who trust in Christ alone.

3. Why we should not be afraid of such persecution but cling to Christ

But we should not be afraid of this, nor should we hide the light of Christ away from the world. It’s tempting when the forces surround us and threaten to overwhelm us. But we must remember that Christ is the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome him. The world will hurl insults at Christians and twist things to show our flaws and our imperfections. Imperfections that they can see clearly for we are standing in the light of Christ.

They will threaten us as they threatened Christ with dishonor and shame and they may even be so bold to go after those who are around us and our livelihood. For consider this the world will only accept you, if you indulge in your sin and remain in the darkness. But Jesus, Jesus sought the good of all mankind knowing full well that they were sinners. Jesus came into the world to die for sinners like you and me. Even though He had no sin, He made his dwelling among us and was willing to lay down his life to secure for us eternal redemption. That is why we will cling to Jesus, for He saw our sins and our guilt and our shame, and He said that He will take them all upon himself that we might be free.

How many will call you friend and stay by your side knowing all your flaws and weaknesses and the sin that is inside of you? For that is what Jesus did, the world wants you to ignore the sins and have every one agree that we aren’t that bad if we can’t see each other. Christ, however, came into this world, and brought the light that He might lead you out of the darkness of the grave, and bring you into paradise to heal you, not just your soul. What a friend we have in Him, a brother who truly loves us.

So my brothers and sisters in Christ, the world hated Jesus and the Words of Life and Light that He brought for our salvation. For the world was held firmly in the grip of the devil, but Christ came to set people free. So when the world rages, do not be afraid, but take courage and cling to Him who has laid down His life for our sake. In Jesus name. Amen.