I wasn’t really expecting the Weather Channel to warn me about hate. But there it was plain as day. Extreme Hate Warnings this week! And with a map to show where the worst of it would be concentrated! How helpful of them!

Jesus, of course, had already warned us that since the world hated Him we’d be hated by all men on account of Him. That the world hates what is good, hates one another, hates the light, hates the Father… What’s more, He told us the hate would be pervasive in the world, not just in one place on the map.

It’s sobering, isn’t it? So much of what goes on in this world is fueled by hate! Have you encountered some extreme hate of late? Then I’m sure you’ll be encouraged to know that hate does not have the final word. Jesus does. Listen to the precious, hope-filled encouragements He gave immediately after He warned us about the hate:

You will be hated by all on account of My name, but… do not fear them…

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul…

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:22-31)

He didn’t say He’d make all the hate go away and we’d live happily ever after. But He did make absolutely clear how much the Father values us. And if you’ll take it to heart, the Father’s great love and exceptional valuation of us speak convincingly to the hate, however extreme. So the next time you experience hate, let Jesus remind you of how extraordinarily the Father values you.