Talking to His disciples. Things they should know.
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have (guilt) sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. The one who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But this has happened so that the word that is written in their Law will be fulfilled: ‘They hated Me for no reason.’” (John 15:18-25 NASB, Psalms 35:19; 69:4)
Jesus is talking to His disciples being left behind to dwell among His crucifiers. In your face enmity from the synagogue of Satan came face to face with their Creator, crucified Him then smothered their guilt with hatred for those who would speak in His name. Lions and torches and crosses and such were the fate of disciples for hundreds of years. Then up through the centuries, with inquisitions and religious wars, there were times the church and the world seemed to get along. Kings kneeled before Popes, but Jesus still hung on a cross. Today is the same only the roles have been switched. Tax statis and permits are threats to be heeded and troubles to be avoided. The church seems to be at peace with the world.
That won’t last. Christ’s disciples are living loud. In love, declaring the truth without fear. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NASB)
His Family Table 