John 15:20-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 words, they will keep yours also.
Remember= mnémoneuó in the greek. It means to call to mind, to make mention of, to recall by memory, remember, mindful of.
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus, after having washed His disciples feet, brought these profound words of wisdom to their remembrance when He said to them"you are not greater than Me. If they persecuted Me, the same they will do to you."
Jesus hoped to comfort the disciples with the knowledge that the world’s hatred was first directed toward Him.
Jesus came from heaven to earth to save them that are lost and in all His teaching, preaching, miracles, healing, etc., many still choose not to receive Him, but instead reject, oppose and persecute Him, even unto death.
Jesus did not allow the people's attitudes, remarks, lies, conspiracy, rejection of Him, evil towards Him, denial of who He was or anything else, stopped Him from the mission in which He came. He profoundly declared these words in John 9:4- I must work the works of him that has sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
Jesus says the world hates us because God chose us out of the world, out of darkness into His marvelous light.
John 15:19- If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
I am going to leave you with a few words from the song by Nodes Of Ranvier called "Purpose In Pain".
Sometimes hope dwells in the darkness waiting to be found.
With bitter tears we fight through days that do not seem to end. But finding purpose in the pain will shatter doubt and help you persevere.
Reaching beyond all the wreckage we see, together we'll find what we truly believe.
Crawl through the ashes of our past mistakes. Emerge, so much stronger, refined by the flames.
Our faith is tested everyday.
The serpent wants us to betray and turn our backs on everything in Christ that gave our lives true meaning. And though this voice is loud and clear He'll never take what we hold dear for the truth will always light the way.
It’s time to hold true to the Word of God and as the saints of old would say "hold to God's unchanging hands". There is light at the end of the tunnel.
When our journey on this side of suffering and persecution is over, we will indeed hear the Master say "well done, thy good and faithful servant."
REMEMBER: THE SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN THE MASTER!
God bless and I love you all.
Debra