Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. (1 John 3:13 NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV)

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

(Mat. 26:57-68; Mk. 14:53-65; Lk. 22:66-71; Jn. 18:12-14, 19-24)

A Superior Attitude

The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. "Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said." And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?"

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

A Superior Attitude Disinterest in the Truth

"If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe.

A Superior Attitude Disinterest in the Truth Those who will ignore their inconsistencies

For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'" But not even then did their testimony agree.

A Superior Attitude Disinterest in the Truth Those who will ignore their inconsistencies Those who seek our destruction

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

A Superior Attitude Disinterest in the Truth Those who will ignore their inconsistencies Those who seek our destruction Those who accuse us of teaching error

“He has spoken Blasphemy!”

A Superior Attitude Disinterest in the Truth Those who will ignore their inconsistencies Those who seek our destruction Those who accuse us of teaching error Those who mock us

saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"

And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. (Mark 14:53 NKJV)

The Wrong Ways to Respond: Some people will not face them: Peter

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NKJV) "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8 NKJV)

The Wrong Ways to Respond: Some people will not face them: Peter Some Treat Them As Their Enemy: Peter

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

The Right Ways to Respond: Living a Christ-Like Life

The Right Ways to Respond: Living a Christ-Like Life No Response

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 NKJV) If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22 NKJV)

The Right Ways to Respond: Living a Christ-Like Life No Response Give Them the Truth

"I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.