Hated for the right reasons
Are we imitating Jesus or the world?
Note: I am re-hosting some of my previous work from another blog. As we celebrate Holy Week, let’s strive to be known, for better or worse, as imitators of Christ rather than the world. People see the difference, and being hated for the former is a badge of honor. Being hated for the latter dishonors our Lord and Savior by disrupting our witness and his commission to make disciples.
April 2, 2021
I wrote earlier this week about the theology of suffering and how I came to understand and embrace it through my own adversity. As we approach the triumph of Easter morning, we mustn't forget the sorrow that preceded it. I quoted Isaiah 53:3 in my article, and it bears repeating again:
"He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."
A good number of Jesus' countrymen were not pleased with the Messiah God sent to them. He spoke of meekness and long-suffering, and He described Himself as "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). He knew the hearts of every person He touched, but He still washed Judas' feet during the Last Supper, He still went willingly and without protest to His fate, He still forgave the thief as He hung dying on the cross, and He still implored His Father to forgive those who had murdered Him without cause.
How was this Messiah going to smite the Roman oppressors and restore Israel to its former glory?
In some ways, that question still reverberates in the church today. We revere the Christ that used a whip to drive the money changers out of the temple or used harsh language to rebuke the Pharisees, reserving our meekness for people who we like. And long-suffering and forgiveness? Fuhgeddaboutit!
Do you know who the money changers were? They were people who saw an opportunity to exploit the devout for their own purposes. And the Pharisees were self-righteous, proud, and condescending religious people who thought their works, appearance, and adherence to rituals would get them into heaven. These were people who knew the Word and used that knowledge to hurt the faithful rather than serve them. They should have known better, and Jesus knew it.
As for everyone else, regardless of their station in life or the fact they were unclean, unlovely, or unloveable, or that they were hostile, Jesus loved them:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48).
We live in a harsh, unforgiving culture, and while we like to think that's unique, I imagine the occupied Roman territories were not characterized by kindness and grace, either. That's why the church of Jesus Christ set the world of its day on fire, not because of its aggressiveness and mercilessness, but because of its love. The church was counter-cultural, and it should be counter-cultural today.
We think because we stand for certain hot-button issues that we are counter-cultural. Still, we adopt the ways and tactics of the world to take our stand, which makes us no better than the world, and certainly not attractive to people seeking a sanctuary from the troubles of this life.
I fully expect that people will hate me for obeying the whole counsel of God. David experienced it, and Jesus guaranteed it:
Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal (Psalm 69:4).
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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" (John 15:18-19).
That said, I don't think our faithfulness is the only reason we are hated, and it may not even be the primary reason. As I have said to my students, "If we're to be hated, let's be hated for the right reasons."
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil (1 Peter 3:15-17).
As we stand for our faith, are we doing it "with gentleness and respect"? Are we "gentle and lowly in heart?" Do we endure trials with grace and without resistance? Do we truly love those who despise us and pray for them, even in the midst of the suffering they inflict on us?
As we remember the cross on Good Friday, ask "What would Jesus do?" and do what He did. Be hated for the right reasons.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).