Read John 15:18-19 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. Who hated Jesus?
2. Who does the world love?
3. Why were the disciples no longer part of the world?
Reflect
As Jesus said these words to His disciples, they were on their way to the place where He’d be arrested. Though they didn’t know it yet, He was preparing them for the mission He’d send them on soon. As part of His last words to them before His death, He warned them that they would be hated by the world.
When we put our faith in Jesus, we no longer belong to the world; we belong to Him alone. Jesus’ words are still true today – the world doesn’t like what it can’t control. Declaring Jesus as our Lord means that we allow Him to define us, convict us, guide us, and change us into His image. Everyone wants your allegiance and will fight for your attention, but Jesus is the only one who deserves it.
The world doesn’t want you to belong to Jesus. The enemy doesn’t want you to see the church as necessary, because it’s in the body of Christ where you’ll find true belonging and a community of brothers and sisters who point you to your eternal home. You belong to God. Your place is in His Kingdom.
Respond
Where do you consider yourself belonging, or where do you wish you belonged? By what are you primarily defined: your job, family, status, wealth, or possessions – or Jesus? Spend some time in prayer inviting Him to remind you of where you belong.