Words from the Rock
If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don’t belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and that is why its people hate you.
John 15:18–19 CEV
When visiting foreign lands, you carry a passport with you. The obvious reason is that most countries won’t let you in without one. But it’s also a useful source of ID. If you plan to stay for an extended time in a foreign country, you’ll need a visa as well. Visas and passports are the way that government officials identify what nation you belong to and where you have your citizenship. It’s how the world at large works, and life goes a lot more smoothly when you know the laws of the land.
In some ways, the spiritual world is not that much different. Once you belong to God, your citizenship is in heaven. Sure, you’re here on earth for the time being, but Jesus is like your passport—you are identified as his, and it’s because of him that your allegiance is with heaven. As a result, you might sometimes be treated like a foreigner in this world, and sometimes foreigners aren’t made to feel very welcome. In fact, Jesus says that if people hate him (and some do), they will likewise hate you. So you shouldn’t be surprised when they do.
It might be a little easier to accept this kind of negative reaction when you realize that hatred and prejudice are products of ignorance. Some people, like those in other countries or cultures, might automatically dismiss or judge what they don’t know or understand. So people who don’t know Jesus might dislike him. That’s when it’s helpful to remember that Jesus wants you to be his ambassador and to love others. Hopefully then they will begin to see Jesus for who he really is—and they might become interested in gaining citizenship in his kingdom too!
My Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for reminding me that my real home is in heaven with you. Please help me to reach out to others while I’m here on earth.
Amen.
Final Word
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV
Stone for the Journey
Jesus is my passport while I live on earth.