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John 15: 18-21 | King James Audio Bible | Daily Verses
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Through these Bible verses, we are called upon to consider the persecution of Christians. Jesus speaks both of his own time, and of the time of the Apostles, and of time to come, including the present day.
The persecution of Christians is a live issue at present in the Middle East, through the intolerance of some people and their leaders. In living memory, we recall the oppression and murder of Christians by totalitarian regimes. As we look back through history, we find so many of our saints are martyrs.
We are additionally called to consider our Christianity in our present in our civilized world. We think of those who have lost or who reject Jesus, who mock or insult us for our faith in Jesus. We may think of those all pervasive modes of being and doing which do such harm to ourselves, to other people and to all life on earth, and which persistently threaten to occlude our relationship with God.
There is, for example, the pressure of time. There is the injunction to consume things which might not contribute to our true and spiritual well-being, which do not make us happy, and which deplete the earth’s resources and kill other species while diminishing ourselves.
We are aware of how we poison our atmosphere and pollute our land and seas and rivers, and this for what? Perhaps it is because we seem as a race to insist upon trying to live in ways which are not in accordance with Jesus, because so many of us do not know Jesus. For them we pray.
It is a question a Christian may find himself or herself compelled to consider each day. Where Jesus gave everything for our sake, where the disciples and the early Church gave everything they had and held everything in common, where we are taught by Jesus not to consider the things of this world but to fix our hearts and minds on heaven and the life eternal, how do we, as Christians, negotiate each day in this 21st Century world, such that we may live our lives wholly with Jesus?
Now, as then, it can be a hostile world. And yet, through all adversity, God is with us.
‘No one will be fit to receive the life to come unless he has prepared himself in this life to receive it.’ St Augustine
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
We Are Not Of The World | Christian Faith And Martyrdom
As Christians, we are called to live in the world but not be of the world. This is a challenging concept that is made clear in John 15:18-21, where Jesus tells his disciples, ‘If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.’
These words of Jesus remind us that as Christians, we are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, and this may lead us to persecution and even martyrdom. The early Christian martyrs are a testament to this truth. In the face of persecution and death, they remained steadfast in their faith, knowing that they had been chosen by Christ to bear witness to the truth.
The Church has a long tradition of honoring the martyrs. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, an early Christian martyr, wrote in his letter to the Romans: ‘I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.’ This idea of martyrdom as a purification is echoed by Saint Augustine, who wrote: ‘The church has always believed that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.’
In the Protestant tradition, the concept of martyrdom is highly regarded. The Protestant Reformation was marked by numerous martyrs who were willing to die for their faith – at the hands of Catholics. One of the most famous Protestant martyrs was William Tyndale, who was burned at the stake for his efforts to translate the Bible into English. Tyndale’s dying words were: ‘Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.’
The idea of martyrdom is central to the teachings of many contemporary Christian leaders. Pope Francis has spoken frequently about the need for Christians to be willing to suffer for their faith. In a homily in 2013, he said, ‘We must learn the lesson of the martyrs: to live our faith with courage, to take risks, and to be prepared to pay the price for the Gospel.’
Similarly, Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by the Nazis for his opposition to Hitler, wrote in his book The Cost Of Discipleship: ‘When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.’ Bonhoeffer believed that the call to discipleship was a call to be willing to die for one’s faith.
In John 15:26-16:4, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the coming persecution they will face. He tells them that he will send the Holy Spirit to guide them and that they will testify about him. He also warns them that they will be cast out of synagogues and that those who kill them will think they are doing God a service.
These words of Jesus remind us that persecution and martyrdom are not just historical artifacts, but a reality for many Christians today. In many parts of the world, Christians face persecution, imprisonment, and even death for their faith. As we reflect on these passages from John’s gospel, we must ask ourselves if we are truly prepared to follow Christ, even if it means facing persecution or death.
Perhaps for many of us in liberal, Western societies, the martyrdom may operate on a more ‘micro’ level, meaning that we may be vilified for Christian values, in relation to whatever the issue might be, while such pain though real can be considered if at all as a merest echo of those whose persecution is effective torture and indeed death.
Even so, it can be difficult. Perhaps we may look to the martyrs for our inspiration, while we uphold what is good in our own very small ways. May we pray to do this much.
In order to find Jesus, the leper in these Gospel verses has had to transgress the law of the time, which was that he must live away from others, because whoever touched him would be impure. The leper has broken the religious laws so as to be with Jesus [ … ]
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
In this meditation, Saint Augustine leads us to the very heart of Holy Week: the mystery of divine love revealed in the passion and death of Christ. The reading centers on Christ’s declaration from the Gospel of John: ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:13). For Augustine, this is not merely a moving sentiment but the highest expression of divine charity (caritas), the model of love that defines the Christian life [ … ]
