Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
John 15:20 NIV
I have often wondered how the world would respond to Jesus if he was to come today and live among us, much as he did 2000 years ago. It is hard to imagine that many people would be indifferent to him. Jesus seemed to provoke strong reactions from everyone he encountered. Some embraced him and his message, while others rejected him and opposed his message. And there is no reason to think it would be any different today.
What Jesus had to say to his first followers in this verse is just as appropriate for those of us who follow him now. He is the master, and we are his servants. People will respond to us, as his representatives, as they would to him. We should not be surprised when we face opposition because we are Jesus’ disciples. We should expect it.
What should concern us is when the world ignores us. That should be a warning that we are failing to represent Jesus to those around us. Be faithful to represent Jesus to the world and let his light shine out from your life and words. Some may embrace that light, while others may attempt to extinguish it. But no one should be indifferent to it.
