Persecuted By The Pious?
Text: John 15:26-16:4 In the name of Jesus. Amen. Over the last several weeks, we have heard how life in this fallen world is a vale of tears — a valley of sorrow, brokenness, and affliction. That is to say, this life is not a pleasant walk on the beach, but a rocky road to the cross. We have also heard how the paganized world will persecute the church. We have been warned by Jesus that this persecution from the world is to be expected. Hatred, slander, rejection toward the church — these are normal actions of the pagan world to you, me, and Christ’s Church. But today, in our reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus turns the heat up even more. Jesus tells us that we should expect persecution not only from the world but from inside the church. He says: “The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” (John 16:2) Now, let those words settle in your ears. Persecution will not only come from those outside the church, but fro...
