Surprised by the Hatred Against Christ?

The controversial 2024 Olympic opening ceremony has created quite a stir. It seemed quite obvious to me that it was a shameful parody of the Last Supper. Some say not. Sorry, but we have become accustomed to people telling us that we did not see what we saw. And that we did not hear what we heard.

I was not shocked. Nor did I expect some well-crafted apology. By the way, real apologies do not start with “IF.” One thing I do know for sure! There is a demonic current in our world that hates Christ and His followers. Why would we be surprised? Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. / If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19 NKJV). I find myself in good company.

Jesus Christ will ultimately return in clouds of great glory. Every eye will behold Him even those who pierced Him. He came the first time as a Lamb for sacrifice. His second coming will be as a Lion to rule. Read the Bible.

Jesus told us the world would hate His followers just as it hated Him. We wear the hatred of the world as a badge of honor while loving them. Our Savior sent us as sheep among the wolves, while telling us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

There is a trail of martyrs blood in the dust of the earth. It began at the Cross, and was catapulted by the Holy Spirit from Jerusalem through the Upper Room. It has crossed over thousands of miles and centuries bringing the message to our ears and hearts. The birth of the church was borne by the blood of Christ. The growth of the Church has been fueled by the blood of the saints.

We follow Jesus: turning the other cheek, praying for those who hate and persecute us. We pray for their eyes to be opened and for their souls to be reconciled to God through His Son.

We busy ourselves: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, cleansing the lepers, healing the sick, and raising the dead.

We lean into God and His Word: we pray, we study, we worship, we obey, and we fellowship.

Do not be mistaken. We are meek but not weak. We have faith not fear. We are not cowering but we are courageous. In our weakness, we are strong in Him. The fullness of our life is in our dying to this world.

We stand humbly and boldly at the foot of the Cross of Christ. Our bodies and hearts are tethered by love to the cross. We say, “Any day is a good day to die. For then shall we live with Him. No one can threaten us with Heaven!” To those who despise us and hate us—we love you and pray for your eternal souls. We do not enjoy your slurs or your snickering. Your mockery and blasphemy are sickening. Yet we pray, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

My greatest desire is to simply be a servant of Christ. That’s all!

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt