No Excuses

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 15:18-27

 

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

(NKJV)

 

I want to begin this post by asking everyone to pray for the safety of our schools and universities. As a professor at a university, my purpose is to provide students with an education. The students are there to receive an education, with the staff and administration there to support the students and professors in this endeavor. Unfortunately, hatred in our society has made schools and universities a target for violence, which can be a distraction for everyone involved in the educational process. So please pray that God will place a hedge of protection around our schools (Psalm 91:11).

 

The world hated Jesus so much that they put Him on a cross. Knowing this would happen to Him, Jesus told us that the world hated Him before it hated us (John 15:18). If we were of the world and its beliefs, the world would love us as one of its own but since we have been called out of the world by Jesus, it hates us with the same hatred it hated Jesus (John 15:19). Jesus told us a servant is not greater than his master so as servants of Christ, we should not expect to escape persecution because Jesus did not (John 15:20). The source of this hatred and persecution is a lack of knowing God in the world. (John 15:21). However, anyone who has heard the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, including that he came and died for their sins and resurrected from the dead in the conquest of sin and death, has an excuse (John 15:22).

 

Anyone who hates Jesus also hates God who sent Him (John 15:23). Jesus not only came declaring truth but also did works unlike anyone else, demonstrating he was unlike any man who ever existed yet some hated both Him and His Father (John 15:24). The hatred of Jesus was hatred without a cause, not unlike that experienced by David (John 15:25; Psalm 69:4). To help His disciples through this hatred and persecution, Jesus and the Father has provided a Helper, the Holy Spirit to testify of Jesus (John 15:26). Since the Disciples were with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, they bore witness of what they had seen, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; John 15:27). This is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead and empowers us to be witnesses because of what we read in the Word of God even though we were not born when Jesus walked the earth (Romans 8:11).

 

Hatred and persecution of those choosing to follow Jesus has as its root, hatred of God and His Son, Jesus. How quickly the tide of opinion regarding Jesus turned from praise to calls for His crucifixion (Luke 23:18-23; Matthew 21:1-11). Jesus represented a stumbling block to the religious leaders of His time as well as to those living under oppression from the Roman authorities.

 

·         Threat to the religious leaders – Jesus, a man from lowly Galilee, has come upon the scene, performing miracles and drawing a multitude to Him. However, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the religious leaders began to plot his death along with the death of Lazarus (John 12:9-11). The religious leaders also knew his teachings were aimed at them and their hypocrisy (Matthew 26:1-5).

·         Disappointment for the oppressed – Many in the crowd waving palm branches during the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem may have expected Jesus would march in and depose their Roman oppressors. However, Jesus marched into the Temple and overturned the tables of the money changers who had turned the Father's house of worship into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12-17). Jesus did not fulfill their expectations.

 

Deciding to follow Jesus does not mean a life of ease and freedom from trouble (John 16:33). It also does not guarantee everyone will love us. Unfortunately, out of fear of losing members and their contributions, some churches teach a gospel that promises those following Jesus will have all of their needs met and loved by many (Matthew 6:33). Taken out of context one could interpret this verse to mean a believer in Christ can expect to have all they want, but the contest is one having their needs met not everything they want (Matthew 6:25-34). Ask those who believe in Christ in countries where it is illegal and punishable by time in prison or death if following Christ is easy with everyone loving them, and you will find the truth. Following Jesus requires commitment and taking up the cross, risking rejection and hatred. Philippians 4:19 does promise that God will supply all our needs. but Paul did not write this as one living a materially prosperous life, but as one in prison for his belief, experiencing God’s miraculous provision. We must ask ourselves if we are committed to Jesus even if it could cost us everything. Deciding to follow Jesus does not mean a life of ease and freedom from trouble (John 16:33). It also does not guarantee everyone will love us, possibly costing everything we have, or even our lives.

 

Jesus has come to humanity and shared the truth with us. He told us He is the way, the truth, and the life, the only path to reconciliation to God (John 14:6). Jesus also told us anyone believing in God’s Son, Jesus, would have eternal life (John 3:16). Anyone reading this who has heard these truths that came from the mouth of Jesus has no excuse. Therefore, I want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior to pray with me now from a heart committed to following Jesus, no matter what it may cost.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post.