Jesus said, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you... but all these things they will do to you on account of my name..." (John 15:20, 21).
Isn't it interesting that in our culture you can talk about spirituality - or even 'God' in general terms - but as soon as you bring up Jesus, you're in trouble? (At least, the Jesus of the Bible!)
That's not exactly what this passage is talking about, though it certainly could be included in it.
In John's gospel, the way that Jesus' ministry is talked about is that Jesus makes his glory known - the glory of the unique Son of the Father - and some believe, while some hate. That's what Jesus' "name" means - it's his glory. It's who he truly is.
So what do people resist? Surely not the name, "Jesus." But they do, as soon as they see who he truly is - very God - Creator, Life-giver, Ruler, Sovereign, Risen-from-the-dead, Judge of the world -
People don't like that.
But as a Christian, that's what we are called to represent: his name, his person, his glory. We don't represent some vague 'god' out there. We represent the glory of the Risen Messiah - Jesus, who is coming again!
Great post! Thanks for your comments and challenge.
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