Words from the Rock
They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: “They hated me without cause.”
John 15:21–25 NLT
You may have heard that ignorance of the law is no excuse to break it. Imagine you’re driving down the highway and don’t see a speed limit sign anywhere. Maybe it’s a remote area, or maybe a strong windstorm blew all the signs down. You’re not really sure how fast you should go, so you decide to drive ninety miles per hour.
Before long you see flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror. You pull over and say to the officer, “Sorry, man, I didn’t know what the speed limit was right here.” Do you think he’ll smile and say, “No problem,” then close his little book and walk away? Don’t count on it. If you’re a licensed driver, you should know what the speed limits are on certain kinds of roads in your state. You should know you need to respect those laws even if a speed limit sign isn’t around.
That’s kind of like what Jesus is saying here. He’s been out in the open in his teachings about God. His listeners aren’t ignorant about the coming Messiah. They know about the old prophecies, and they’re aware that Jesus has fulfilled many of them by doing miracles (healing people, feeding thousands, raising the dead). Jesus has done everything possible to show everyone that he is God’s Son, and the news of his power and authority and influence has spread across the land.
Yet there are those who absolutely refuse to believe him. Like children covering their eyes and ears, some stubbornly choose to reject Jesus, deciding to hate him. Despite the fact that Jesus did everything possible to win them over, they won’t listen. Don’t be like them. Take Jesus’s words to heart—knowing who he is becomes your excuse to love him.
My Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for showing yourself to me so I have no excuse for not following you. Help me to remember all you’ve done so my faith remains firm.
Amen.
Final Word
Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:1–2 NLT
Stone for the Journey
I have no excuse not to love Jesus.