Why Following Jesus Sometimes Feels Like Wearing the Wrong Jersey
Adapted from: Hated but Never Forsaken by Justin Hornsby
Ever notice how wearing a sports jersey changes everything? Walk into a rival team's stadium, and suddenly you're not just a person—you're a target for boos and jeers. You represent something bigger than yourself.
The same thing happens when you follow Jesus. The moment you identify as a Christian, you step into a reality Jesus warned about: the world will push back. But here's the good news—you're not alone in the fight.
Three Questions This Message Answers
1. Will I face opposition for following Jesus?
Yes. Jesus said plainly in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." This isn't a maybe—it's a promise. History proves it. Every one of Jesus's original disciples except John was murdered for their faith. Today, over 388 million Christians worldwide face discrimination and violence simply for believing in Jesus.
Even in America, where we don't face physical persecution, Christians often get labeled as bigots, anti-science, or intolerant when we hold to biblical values around sexuality, life, marriage, and salvation. The opposition isn't really about us—it's about Jesus. The world rejects Him because He exposes wrongdoing, demands surrender, and claims to be the only way to God.
2. Why does this happen?
Because Christians are fundamentally different. Jesus said in John 15:19, "Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." We're called to live *in* the world, love the world, and serve the world—but not align with the world's values when they contradict God's truth.
If Christians suddenly abandoned what the Bible teaches—saying Jesus isn't the only way to God, that morality is relative, that truth is whatever feels right—the world would love us. But then we'd all be headed in the wrong direction, denying the very person who offers real hope and forgiveness.
The hatred comes because the world doesn't want God. To reject Jesus is to reject God the Father. And when we represent Jesus, we inherit that rejection.
3. How can I stand strong when opposition comes?
You don't stand alone. Jesus promised in John 15:26 that the Helper—the Holy Spirit—would come to be with us, reminding us of Jesus and pointing us to truth. This changes everything. You will be hated at times, but you will never be forsaken.
Consider Dimitri, a man imprisoned for 17 years in Somalia for his faith. Every morning, he sang praises to Jesus despite mockery and abuse. Guards tried to break him by claiming his family was dead. But God miraculously let him hear their prayers from 600 miles away. Strengthened, Dimitri refused to deny Christ—and his faithfulness sparked something remarkable: 1,500 hardened prisoners began singing his song to Jesus.
How can anyone respond like that? We can't on our own—but God's Spirit can empower us.
What This Means for You
Examine your commitment. Ask yourself honestly: "Am I willing to stand for Jesus when it costs me something?" Do people around you even know you're a Christian? If you never experience any friction for your faith, it might be a wake-up call.
Remember you're not alone. When life feels overwhelming, remind yourself: God's Spirit is with me. You're not abandoned. You're not crazy for following Jesus. You belong to something bigger.
Pray for persecuted believers. Lift up Christians facing severe persecution worldwide. Their courage can strengthen your own faith.
Invite someone to experience Easter. Don't just send a text—personally invite a friend to join you at church and take them to lunch afterward. People are waiting to hear good news, but they won't know unless someone tells them.
The Bottom Line
Following Jesus isn't easy. The world may push back, but you're backed by the greatest power imaginable—God Himself, who never leaves or forsakes you. When opposition comes, remember this truth: you will be hated at times, but you will never be forsaken.
The jersey may bring resistance, but it also guarantees presence—His presence.
A man once said as his children were killed for his faith: "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back." Even when the world turned against him, he stood firm. The question for each of us is simple: Will you stand for Jesus today?
You're not promised tomorrow. But you are promised that if you call on Jesus, you'll find unending love and everlasting grace. That's worth standing for.
Ever notice how wearing a sports jersey changes everything? Walk into a rival team's stadium, and suddenly you're not just a person—you're a target for boos and jeers. You represent something bigger than yourself.
The same thing happens when you follow Jesus. The moment you identify as a Christian, you step into a reality Jesus warned about: the world will push back. But here's the good news—you're not alone in the fight.
Three Questions This Message Answers
1. Will I face opposition for following Jesus?
Yes. Jesus said plainly in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." This isn't a maybe—it's a promise. History proves it. Every one of Jesus's original disciples except John was murdered for their faith. Today, over 388 million Christians worldwide face discrimination and violence simply for believing in Jesus.
Even in America, where we don't face physical persecution, Christians often get labeled as bigots, anti-science, or intolerant when we hold to biblical values around sexuality, life, marriage, and salvation. The opposition isn't really about us—it's about Jesus. The world rejects Him because He exposes wrongdoing, demands surrender, and claims to be the only way to God.
2. Why does this happen?
Because Christians are fundamentally different. Jesus said in John 15:19, "Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." We're called to live *in* the world, love the world, and serve the world—but not align with the world's values when they contradict God's truth.
If Christians suddenly abandoned what the Bible teaches—saying Jesus isn't the only way to God, that morality is relative, that truth is whatever feels right—the world would love us. But then we'd all be headed in the wrong direction, denying the very person who offers real hope and forgiveness.
The hatred comes because the world doesn't want God. To reject Jesus is to reject God the Father. And when we represent Jesus, we inherit that rejection.
3. How can I stand strong when opposition comes?
You don't stand alone. Jesus promised in John 15:26 that the Helper—the Holy Spirit—would come to be with us, reminding us of Jesus and pointing us to truth. This changes everything. You will be hated at times, but you will never be forsaken.
Consider Dimitri, a man imprisoned for 17 years in Somalia for his faith. Every morning, he sang praises to Jesus despite mockery and abuse. Guards tried to break him by claiming his family was dead. But God miraculously let him hear their prayers from 600 miles away. Strengthened, Dimitri refused to deny Christ—and his faithfulness sparked something remarkable: 1,500 hardened prisoners began singing his song to Jesus.
How can anyone respond like that? We can't on our own—but God's Spirit can empower us.
What This Means for You
Examine your commitment. Ask yourself honestly: "Am I willing to stand for Jesus when it costs me something?" Do people around you even know you're a Christian? If you never experience any friction for your faith, it might be a wake-up call.
Remember you're not alone. When life feels overwhelming, remind yourself: God's Spirit is with me. You're not abandoned. You're not crazy for following Jesus. You belong to something bigger.
Pray for persecuted believers. Lift up Christians facing severe persecution worldwide. Their courage can strengthen your own faith.
Invite someone to experience Easter. Don't just send a text—personally invite a friend to join you at church and take them to lunch afterward. People are waiting to hear good news, but they won't know unless someone tells them.
The Bottom Line
Following Jesus isn't easy. The world may push back, but you're backed by the greatest power imaginable—God Himself, who never leaves or forsakes you. When opposition comes, remember this truth: you will be hated at times, but you will never be forsaken.
The jersey may bring resistance, but it also guarantees presence—His presence.
A man once said as his children were killed for his faith: "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back." Even when the world turned against him, he stood firm. The question for each of us is simple: Will you stand for Jesus today?
You're not promised tomorrow. But you are promised that if you call on Jesus, you'll find unending love and everlasting grace. That's worth standing for.
Posted in New Testament
Posted in Easter, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Fasting, Prayer, Last Supper, Jesus, Disciples, Teaching, Upper Room, Abide, Jersey, Team, Christian, Persecuted, Martyr, Hate, Pain, Forsaken, Love, Hope, Precious
Posted in Easter, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Fasting, Prayer, Last Supper, Jesus, Disciples, Teaching, Upper Room, Abide, Jersey, Team, Christian, Persecuted, Martyr, Hate, Pain, Forsaken, Love, Hope, Precious
Recent
Archive
2026
January
2025
January
March
April
June
August
October
2024
September
October