Witness in the Face of Hostility
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
John 15:22-27
+
Witness in the Face of Hostility
Jesus speaks soberly about the world’s hatred, a hostility that grows sharper when His Word exposes sin. Such hostility leaves people “without excuse,” for the Light has shone clearly. Yet Jesus does not leave His disciples to bear witness alone. He promises the Helper, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father and testifies to the Son. This promise anchors us in the theology of the cross. The world’s rejection does not signal Christ’s absence but reveals His path. Our Lord was hated first, crucified by those who could not tolerate His truth. But from that cross comes forgiveness, life, and the Spirit who strengthens our confession. When hostility rises, we do not rely on our resolve but on the Spirit’s steadfast witness. In Him we are given courage to speak Christ’s mercy, even when the world would rather remain silent.
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
John 15:22-27
+
Witness in the Face of Hostility
Jesus speaks soberly about the world’s hatred, a hostility that grows sharper when His Word exposes sin. Such hostility leaves people “without excuse,” for the Light has shone clearly. Yet Jesus does not leave His disciples to bear witness alone. He promises the Helper, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father and testifies to the Son. This promise anchors us in the theology of the cross. The world’s rejection does not signal Christ’s absence but reveals His path. Our Lord was hated first, crucified by those who could not tolerate His truth. But from that cross comes forgiveness, life, and the Spirit who strengthens our confession. When hostility rises, we do not rely on our resolve but on the Spirit’s steadfast witness. In Him we are given courage to speak Christ’s mercy, even when the world would rather remain silent.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever