If there ever were a person to love, Jesus is the One. In fact, given His wonderful attitude and actions, it is difficult to understand why anyone would not love Him! How could anyone be an enemy of Jesus? Ironically, before Jesus ever walked on the earth, inspired prophets attested to the fact that not everyone would love Jesus. “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool’” (Psalm 110:1 NKJV). “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…” (Isaiah 53:3). One could certainly understand Jesus having enemies if He were a scoundrel, but Jesus was nothing of the sort. Yet, the New Testament verifies that many hated Him. “Therefore, the Jews sought the more to kill him…” (John 5:18). Some even plotted and schemed to put Jesus to death (John 11:53). Sadder still, Jesus knew many hated Him (John 15:18-20). He did nothing to deserve hatred, and yet, many hated our Lord. Why? Why did Jesus have enemies?
Firstly, Jesus has enemies because of what He believed. Jesus’ belief system was based on heavenly guidance. Jesus was and is the full embodiment of truth (John 14:6). Everything He taught was truth (John 17:17), and He demanded that those who follow Deity to completely believe that same truth (John 8:31-32). He perfectly and meticulously lived the truth that He taught (Acts 10:38; John 6:38; Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus also clearly told others that abiding in truth was the only way to live and please God (Luke 6:46). Amazingly, not everyone in Jesus’ day was concerned with truth. He illustrated this fact well in the story of two builders (Matthew 7:24-27). Thus, those who were not interested in absolute truth made themselves enemies of Christ. It is important for those who love truth today to realize that not everyone does. Often, when we believe what Jesus believed and strive to obey our Master, we too will have enemies. “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (1 John 3:13 ESV).
Secondly, Jesus has enemies because of what He said. The words of Jesus were tender, compassionate and life giving! He gently invited those who struggled and were burdened to come, and He would provide help and support (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus never told a lie! How could anyone become an enemy to a man like Jesus, whose words were always perfect? Sadly, though, some disdained what He had to say. When Jesus told the truth about His equality with the Father, hatred for Him grew intensely. “Therefore, the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Talk about intolerance! Jesus did not just say that He was equal with the Father, Jesus also provided adequate evidence. He pointed to John the immerser for proof (John 5:32-33), to his miraculous works (John 5:36) and to the Heavenly Father (John 5:37; Matthew 3:16; 17:5; John 12:28). Surely with this clear evidence, everyone ought to know that what Jesus said was truth. In case some skeptics needed more evidence, Jesus reminded folks that the ancient Scriptures testified of His Deity (John 5:39), especially about Moses, Israel’s great leader of yesterday (John 5:46-47). Did Jesus tell the truth when He spoke of His Deity? Absolutely! No rational person could deny it. However, some were so filled with hatred that they did not care about evidence, and therefore, the words Jesus spoke cut them to the core, exciting their innermost disdain for Him. Jesus had become their enemy simply because He told the truth (Galatians 4:16).
Thirdly, Jesus has enemies because of what He did. His actions and deeds were simply amazing. Our Lord’s motives were always pure, His attitude was always perfect, His actions were always loving, and yet, He still had enemies! How could anyone detest actions that flowed from Jesus’ benevolent heart? To a grieving family, whose brother had passed, Jesus kindly said, “…Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43), and a joyous reunion followed Jesus’ kind act. Not everyone was pleased, however, and some gossiped to the religious leaders, who schemed what to do about Jesus (John 11:46-48). How could anyone hate a man who raised another from the dead? On and on the story could go because Jesus “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).
How could anyone hate a man like Jesus? Sadly, the answer lies in the fact that darkness hates light (John 3:19-20). Jesus is the full embodiment of light (John 8:12). Light emanates from His very core. Thus, those who love darkness will not love Jesus. The story has not changed in some 2,000 years. There are folks, even today, who absolutely loathe goodness and righteousness. Christians, who are striving to follow the example of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21), should expect to be hated by those who are dark and love darkness. Friendship with the world and those in it makes one an enemy of Jesus (James 4:4), but friendship with Jesus makes one an enemy of the world (John 15:18). So, what will it be? Are you an enemy or a friend of Jesus?
