Having just celebrated Easter, the thought that hatred for Jesus Christ is what put Him on the cross at Calvary is foremost in my mind.
Of course, it was the sin of humanity that brought Jesus to that grotesque implement of torture as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. God sent His Only Son into this fallen world to die for sinful humankind so that redemption is now possible for all who are lost (separated from God the Father).
But the steps of achieving Christ’s purpose in this regard at the time of the crucifixion was steeped in satanic hatred for Jesus. The Judaizers of that moment sought to get rid of this man who was claimed to be the very Messiah for whom Israel had been longing. He was, they feared, usurping their great power over the people of Israel. They hated Him and colluded even with the hated Roman government to put Jesus to death.
Thankfully, the hatred was and continues to be totally under the control of Heaven. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection accomplished the salvation of all who will accept God’s grace-gift sacrifice for redemption from sin and separation from God.
Hatred for Jesus Christ in the year 2026 is still on the scene. That hatred is on the rise, as a matter of fact. The condition of anti-God, anti-Christian activity is in every direction while this fallen planet staggers toward God’s judgment and wrath.
This hatred shouldn’t surprise or confuse those who are directed by God the Holy Spirit to be alert to the nearness of Christ’s return to make all things right, as they were before the Fall in Eden.
Jesus, Himself, told His immediate disciples and apostles precisely how things would be during the Age of Grace that would follow His finishing of the redemption process on that old, rugged cross.
Here is what He told them–and us, believers who would be born again through the years:
These things I command you, that ye love one another. 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. (John 15:17–21)
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