Growing Through the Hate

From the series Be the Branch

It comes as no surprise that Jesus was polarizing. People loved Him one minute and hated Him the next. The
disciples had a front row seat to seeing this played out. As Jesus prepared them for the day when He would
no longer be with them in person, He reminded them that the world will treat them the way it treated Him-
they will be hated. But rather than simply getting through it, Jesus wanted them to grow through it. We don’t
need to be surprised by the hate, but how we respond to it will make all the difference in our growth as
followers. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit, the friend who will give us grace when we think we’ve run out,
truth when the lies are loud, and confidence to grow strong when opposition surrounds us.