Jesus' Attitude Towards Those Who Despise the Name Christian
As we reflect on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded that He is indeed the embodiment of love and compassion, yet He also upholds the highest standards of reverence and devotion towards Himself and His people. In Acts 11:26, we see that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, and this name has since become a badge of honor for those who follow Jesus. The apostle Peter writes, "If someone suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed, but should glorify God in his suffering" (1 Peter 4:16), emphasizing the importance of embracing this identity.
However, Jesus does not tolerate those who despise the name Christian, for to do so is to reject the very essence of His mission and the identity of His people. As Jesus says, "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory" (Luke 9:26). To despise the name Christian is to despise the One who has redeemed us, and to reject the community of believers that bears His name. The apostle John warns us that "everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him" (1 John 3:15), highlighting the gravity of such an attitude towards our fellow believers.
In contrast, those who humbly bear the name Christian, despite the trials and persecutions that may come with it, will be rewarded by Jesus Himself. As He promises, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). May we, as Christians, wear our name with pride and humility, knowing that we are ambassadors of Christ, and that our identity is rooted in His love and sacrifice for us. May we also be mindful of the importance of treating one another with love and respect, for we are all part of the same body of Christ, and our actions towards each other reflect our reverence for His name.