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By Mike Caton

John 16:3, “They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.”

Jesus gives us a simple explanation here. The world acts like it does for a reason. Back in chapter 15 Jesus is telling us about the world hating him and therefore hating his disciples. We have talked about that and what it looks like; persecution of varying sorts, mistreatment, even putting them out of the synagogue and so forth. We have made the connection between the treatment Jesus has received and what will happen to his followers. Jesus is telling us these things so we won’t be surprised when they happen to us.

Here he tells us the real reason behind this treatment. I have heard several people referred to as simply being evil lately; folks on the news, political leaders, local people, maybe even people in your family. But why are those folks considered evil? Certainly it has to do with their actions, their attitudes. But what is at the root of the problem? Jesus tells us here, they do not know him or the Father. We need to really think about that for a moment.

How can people not know Jesus or the Father in this day and age? We have Bibles and books galore that speak about them. We have radio stations and internet sites that are gospel-related 24 hours a day. How can they not know? There are too many folks today who claim to know Jesus, who think they know Jesus, who are unwilling to really live the life he calls them to. Do they really know Jesus? I suppose there could be many reasons people don’t really know Jesus as well as they think they do. But I am thinking about our response to those folks, if they don’t know Jesus why don’t we introduce them?

That takes the monkey off of their back and puts it on ours. Sure, we all have a responsibility to learn about Jesus ourselves. Our ignorance is no excuse. But we also have a responsibility to share this good news with others. To make sure those folks have a chance to meet Jesus, the real and true Jesus of the Bible. We need to be spreading that word at every opportunity we get. And so, we need to dial our lives in tightly on Jesus, we need to make sure our commitment, our testimony, our example is what it should be. And we need to be sharing that with others.

Father, help the whole world know you and help me do my part. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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