An Off-Handed Surprise (1 John 3:13)

“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13)

In the middle of a discussion regarding loving one another, John off-handedly remarks, “Do not be surprised that the world hates you.” Was this not a repeated refrain of the Psalms? Of the prophets? Jesus Himself? Yet how often we are surprised. Like the parent who tries to cook broccoli in 800 different ways, we are still surprised that our children do not seem to like it. The problem is with the palate, not the delivery. Likewise, no matter how we dress it up, the world has no desire for the gospel.

Do not be surprised that the world hates the old truths of sin and salvation, of Christ crucified and crowned. Nor should we be surprised if their rage reaches up to those who steward such heavenly delicacies. What is to us the savor of life unto life is to them the aroma of death; to us sweeter than honey, to them bitter than wormwood; to us a firm foundation, to them a stumbling block. Praise be to God that he has raised us to heavenly places to be seated with Christ Jesus, to have a new heart and a new palate by which we enjoy these heavenly delicacies day-by-day. Praise be to God that the bitterness of our sin has been exchanged for the sweetness of salvation! May the day come when the world finds itself surprised by the love found in Christ before the wrath of Christ catches them by surprise!