Hatred toward Jesus is also hatred toward the Father

The statement is broad enough to apply to anyone who hates Jesus

The verse says the two responses can be separated

Appreciate Jesus as helpful while keeping your heart closed to his claims

Focus only on God in general and leave Jesus out of it

Treat Jesus as optional and still claim devotion to the Father

Welcome Jesus with reverence and refuse contempt toward him

The sentence moves through a time sequence

The same hatred is repeated and linked to Jesus and the Father

The subject changes from one clause to another

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned and have not honored you as I should. I turn from my sin and from every hard place in my heart. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. Forgive me, make me new, and lead me to honor your Father as well. I confess you as Lord and trust you with my life. Amen.

Receive Jesus and Honor the Father

Father, revive your Church where we have treated Jesus lightly or kept him at a distance. Give us reverence for your Son, honesty before your face, and courage to honor you by honoring him. Awaken us from divided hearts and make us one in devotion, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church to Honor the Son

Bring before God any contempt, indifference, or hidden resistance toward Jesus. Ask the Lord to show you where you have separated your respect for God from your response to Christ, and to lead you into honest repentance.

Turning From Hidden Resistance

Pray for people who reject Jesus: that God would soften hard hearts, clear away misunderstandings, and draw them to the Father by bringing them to the Son. Ask also for bold, gracious witnesses who point to Christ without bitterness.

For Those Who Reject Jesus

Begin by naming one way you may be resisting Jesus. Ask God to expose it, to replace pride with humility, and to give you a simple next step of obedience that honors the Son and the Father.

A Simple Prayer Against Resistance

Father, thank you that your Word speaks plainly and does not leave me guessing about my response to Jesus. Thank you for the mercy of this warning, and for the call to honor your Son. Keep me from contempt, and teach me to trust him more deeply, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for a Clear Warning

ὁ{ho###hoh###whoever} ἐμὲ{e-ME###eh-MEH###me} μισῶν{mee-SON###mee-SOHN###hates} καὶ{KE###keh###and} τὸν{TON###TOHN###the} πατέρα{pa-TE-ra###pah-TEH-rah###father} μου{moo###moo###my} μισεῖ.{mee-SEE###mee-SEE###hates}

John 15:23 — FormalTAB

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