the world hates the disciples

because of human nature's response to feelings, don't you just hate it when somebody hates you? (oh the irony!)

i overheard a conversation yesterday in the MRT while i was on my way home. two tertiary students (a male and a female) are expressing their distaste for another student in their course or organization (they didn't really give details for me to be sure) that apparently posts bulletins in their boards about bible verses. they mentioned he is a Christian. to make the long (and saddening for me to hear) story short, the female summarized it by saying, "He should stop doing that. Nobody gives a shit."

although i know it could be hurtful for that person to actually hear people talking about him like that, i'm sure as a Christian he will also understand why they speak of him like that. for Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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." (John 15:18)

the world does not want Jesus' love. no matter what He did - even if He sacrificed and died on the cross - as the girl said, "Nobody gives a shit."

i suppose partly, she is right. but i think the part where she got it wrong is that Christians aren't nobodies. we are God's children. we belong to Him. we love Him and He loves us. so i only feel pity for "nobodies" for they are missing out big time in their lives - Jesus' love and redemption for our sins.

i am in that time of my life whereas as a Christian, i also want to bring other people close to God as my caregroup family has done for me. i pray to God that He continuously give me the strength and ability to invite people to have a relationship with Jesus, with The Father. although the entire world may not believe in Jesus, or even though all my invitations get turned down, i will still try my best to spread His good news and reach out to people that could be like myself - just waiting to be awakened spritually and be saved from sins & eternal death.