When the World Hates You

About 120 years after Jesus’ death, an 86-year-old pastor named Polycarp was arrested for refusing to worship the Roman emperor. Before his execution, he was told to curse Christ and live. His reply has echoed through the centuries: “Eighty-six years have I served Christ, and He never did me harm: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Moments later, he was burned at the stake.

What gave Polycarp such courage? He understood what Jesus told His disciples in John 15:18–16:4: People will hate you because you belong to Jesus.

Why the World Hates

Jesus wanted His disciples to be prepared. He reminded them that the world—meaning unbelievers and systems opposed to God—would hate them just as it hated Him. Why?

1. Because the world hated Jesus first. His words and His life exposed the darkness of people’s hearts, and they resisted the light.

2. Because of ignorance. Many simply don’t know God personally. They act out of blindness, hating without cause (John 15:25).

   
   

The truth is, you can’t belong to both the world and to Christ. You will either be in the realm of the world or in the realm of Jesus. And if you belong to Him, you should not be surprised when the world resists you.

How Hatred Shows Up

Jesus warned that hatred would come in different forms:

• Social rejection. For His first disciples, that meant being thrown out of the synagogue, cut off from family, work, and community. Today, it often looks like being pushed to the margins, dismissed as irrelevant, or labeled as harmful.

• Violence. Some believers throughout history—and even today—face imprisonment or death. Around the world, thousands of Christians are killed each year simply for following Christ.

  
  

Jesus didn’t hide these realities. Instead, He told His disciples so that they would not fall away. He wanted them to remember His words and stand firm.

Strength for the Hated

If you belong to Christ, you won’t face the world’s hatred alone. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit—the Helper—would come. The Spirit strengthens, counsels, and empowers God’s people to bear witness even in the hardest times.

And not only that—our knowledge of Jesus anchors us. His words remind us that suffering is not the end of the story. His promises assure us that He is with us and that His victory is sure.

How Should We Respond?

• Speak the truth. Hold fast to Scripture. Proclaim the gospel clearly. Defend the dignity of human life and the goodness of God’s design, even when it’s unpopular.

• Love your enemies. Jesus told us to pray for those who hate us and forgive those who wrong us. If we are going to be hated, let it be for Christ, not for arrogance or cruelty.

• Endure with hope. History shows that when Christians suffer faithfully, the gospel spreads. As Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

  
  

Worth the Cost

Following Jesus is not easy. In fact, He promised that the world would oppose His people. But He also promised His presence, His peace, and His Spirit.

Polycarp faced the flames with courage because he knew that Christ was worth it. And you and I can face rejection, hatred, or even suffering with the same assurance: knowing Jesus is worth the cost.