Our world today is becoming more increasingly opposed to Christianity and to the name of Jesus. This is seen in great fashion in the public arena of America. Politicians refrain from speaking ill of other religions; however, when it comes to those who follow Jesus, there is no hesitation. Public schools in America have systematically expelled Jesus from the classroom. You can talk about and practice religion but you cannot speak in the name of Jesus. College campuses across America are in the business of indoctrinating their students with a philosophy that stands in direct opposition to the name of Jesus. It is clear that there is a spirit of anti-Christ in the world today. From the government to the classroom our nation has been invaded by a demonic influence that seeks to destroy the Christian faith and remove the name of Jesus from the vocabulary of American citizens. Why is this? Why is every other belief system acceptable except the belief system of those who follow Jesus? What is so bad about the name of Jesus? Why does the world hate Jesus? There are three basic reasons as to why the world hates Jesus.

The world hates Jesus because He testifies that their works are evil. Jesus said in John 7:7, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” Jesus has a way of causing people to face the reality of their sinful condition. This is why secular society becomes so defensive when their lifestyles are opposed or questioned. They simply do not want to face reality. Jesus also said in John 3:19-21, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Jesus is the light of the world. Light reveals what is hidden. It exposes the darkness. Therefore, the world hates Jesus because He is the light that exposes the evil of their heart.

The world hates Jesus because believing in Him requires that we admit that we are sinners. One of the greatest challenges in bringing someone to Christ is convincing them that they need Jesus. Most people tend to think that they are a good person. They think that as long as they live a good life and do good things and stay out of trouble then they are okay. They have a hard time coming to grips with the fact that they are totally depraved sinners and that there is absolutely no good in them at all. The only goodness they have comes from the fact that they were created in God’s image; yet, their whole self has been tainted by sin. Sin is in us from the moment we are conceived. We inherit our sin nature from our parents. Ultimately, all of humanity has inherited a sin nature from the first man all the way back in the garden of Eden. Mankind is so filled with pride that they just simply cannot come to grips with their sinful state.

The world hates Jesus because believing in Him requires that we repent. It may not be as difficult as it seems to bring someone to a place where they admit they are a sinner. It is rather obvious that we are born as sinners. However, telling someone that they need to repent is a whole different story. The reason the world is so opposed to Jesus is because they do not like the idea that believing Him requires that you turn away from your sin and surrender your life to Jesus. Unfortunately, we just love and enjoy our sin too much and we do not want anyone telling us that we need to change. However, our eternal destiny is determined by whether or not we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus. Luke 13:5 says, “I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Acts 17:30 says, “….but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 3:19 states, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” Jesus said in Mark 2:17, “…I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” To repent is to make a U-turn. It is when you come to the point in your life when you realize that you are a hopeless and helpless sinner and your only hope for life and for a future in heaven is through Jesus. As you come to that point of realization, you then turn around (repent) away from your self and sin and you give your life completely to the Lord Jesus. This is something that sinful man refuses to do. They love their sin too much. They do not want to admit their fault. They do not like the idea of being dependent on Jesus for their salvation. They would rather follow some other religion that requires good works in order to be saved than to admit they cannot help themselves and their only hope is to surrender to Jesus. This is why the world hates Jesus. The idea that they are helpless and hopeless sinners and that Jesus is the only way is simply appalling to the world and therefore, they do everything they can to stamp out the name of Jesus.

What the world fails to realize is that even though they hate Him, Jesus still loves them. No matter what you think of Jesus, the fact remains that He loves you and He died for you that you might live. Let me give you three answers as to why Jesus loves you.

Jesus loves you because He made you. In John chapter one we learn the awesome truth that Jesus is God. As God, He created all things. He formed you in your mother’s womb. He made you in His own image giving you intellect, emotions, personality, and the ability to decide for yourself whether or not you will love Him in return. It is just like a father and mother who loves their children dearly. Those children may rebel and do things that hurt their parents deeply. They may even declare that they hate their parents. Yet, the love that the father and mother has for their children never change. They still love them no matter what. The same is true with Jesus. No matter how much you dislike Him. No matter how much you rebel and turn away from Him. No matter how often you curse His name, He still loves you.

Jesus loves you because He is one of you. Jesus is human just like you are. His great love for you caused Him to go to drastic measures in order to rescue you from your sin and set you free. He left His throne in heaven and came down to this earth in the form of a man. He came to this earth through a miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. He faced life just like every human being faces life. He knows what it is like to be tempted with sin. He knows what it is like to see someone you love in pain. He knows what it is like to be poor. He knows what it is like to lose a loved one. He knows what it is like to be rejected. Whatever you have faced in life, Jesus has been there. Jesus even experienced death. Jesus relates to you. He knows you. He knows your pain. He knows your sorrow. He knows your struggles. How? Because He has been there. He humbled Himself, leaving the wonders of heaven, in order to become a human just like you. Why? Because He loves you.

Since Jesus loves you, He died for you. The Bible teaches us that the wages of sin is death. The ultimate penalty of sin is eternal separation from God. The good news is that Jesus came down to this earth for one purpose and one purpose only and that is to rescue you from the penalty of sin and give you eternal life in heaven. Jesus suffered and bled and died for you on the cross. The pain and the agony that He went through was for you. After His death on the cross, He victoriously rose again giving life to all who believe on Him.

The world will continue to hate Jesus as time comes on. The world will also grow in their hatred toward those who believe and follow Jesus. Yet, Jesus will continue to love the world. True believers in Christ will continue to love all people no matter how much they hate them and try to destroy them. Why? Because the love of Jesus is in their hearts. You can experience that same love if you will just come to Jesus and believe on Him. He is standing today with His arms wide open ready to welcome you into His family. Will you believe on Jesus today? Will you repent and surrender your life to Him?