Opening Prayer
Lord, command us to love, and give us what You command. Amen.
Text: John 15:17–21
“These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”
Devotion
Christians do not strive to be hated by the world. But because they follow Jesus and confess His name, the world’s hate comes upon them. For the world hates Christ and the confession of His name and those who speak it. The distinctive feature of God’s people is love. The spirit of the world is hate and enmity. As people filled with love, Christians cannot possibly desire the world’s hate, but must be troubled by it for the sake of those who hate them. They try to get along with everyone in a friendly and gentle way, enduring mockery and despising, and praying for their enemies. They also try to find an opportune time for witnessing and do it in a reverent manner, even to the lowliest people. For they remember that all are dearly bought by Christ and they hope that Christ’s testimony will make them children of God. They do not consider themselves too good to deal with the world, but neither can they participate in its sinful life, which they must testify against and rebuke. It is no easy task to walk like this among worldly people. The believers themselves are imperfect and always given to weakness. They are tempted not only to be lazy in the call to witness, but they are also tempted to be angry and unwise, and they make many mistakes, which bring shame to their testimony. This troubles their heart and grieves their conscience, and they blame themselves, because the world does not believe. “If I were a true witness, then they would repent. If my behavior showed real love, then they would know Christ and come to Him.” It is painful that the world hates us, but it is a great comfort to remember that they didn’t treat the Lord any differently, and He says we should remember this. Let it be indeed only for His sake that we are hated! Let it not be for our lack of wisdom! Above all let it not be for any Pharisaic piety! Let it be because the Lord has chosen us, because we are like Him, and because they do not know us, as they do not know Him and the Father!
Closing Prayer
God, pour out the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts, that our whole life may bear witness that we are Your children, loving one another and walking in the light. Give us confidence to proclaim Your truth. Give us joy in tribulations for the sake of Jesus’ name. Have mercy on the world, and let our testimony convert many. Grant us grace, merciful God. Amen.
Hymn
Now you who bear the Spirit’s sword,
Gather together, ’round God’s Word!
Baptism’s promise most profound
Remember, and in love abound
It is the most important thing;
So ev’ry foe has lost his sting.
Grow ever closer to your God;
Remember His command so good
That Jesus did to us impart
And laid upon each Christian heart,
To show by love in deed and word
That we are children of the Lord.
Jesus, to earth You did descend
Peace to establish without end;
Spread out Your kingdom far and wide;
Unite as one Your holy Bride,
That we with You and Yours may be
Together for eternity.
Brorson: Hvor ser det ud i Verdens Ørk L 474:13-15 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Vater unser (ELH 383); alternate hymn: God, my Lord, my Strength ELH 204