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这可能是耶稣最难的教导之一——尤其是当你倾向于取悦别人。耶稣想要我们明白，跟随祂的人有时会和这个世界的价值观产生冲突。因此，有时我们会因为跟随祂而付出相应的代价。

但，我们会被人恨吗？

不被喜欢？或许吧。被误解？当然会。但是恨？这听起来很极端。

然而耶稣在这里使用强烈的字眼是有原因的。把神放在首位会带来争议——这对那些有自己野心和做事方式的既得利益者和利益集团是个威胁。

耶稣邀请人们进入神的国，这导致了祂死在十字架上。为什么？因为祂的教义代表了对宗教领袖的威胁。跟随耶稣意味着失去权力，地位和关注，所以他们的回应是摆脱挣扎，选择保护他们自己的利益。（参约 11:48）

既然耶稣受到这样的对待，我们还会因为相信祂而在自己的生活中遇到艰难而惊讶吗？当然不会。

然而，尽管在这世上有阻力，神对祂的百姓仍是信实的。靠着圣灵，我们会获得能力，重新振作，继续做神呼召我们去担当的事工。在教会中，我们总会获得支持我们继续跟随耶稣的力量，无论要付出怎样的代价。

Several passages in the Bible refer to God's people Israel as a vine planted by God. The idea is that, before Jesus came, God took this group of chosen people and made a home for them where they could grow healthy and prosperous in a relationship with him.

But despite all that God did for his people, they failed to thrive. Time after time, they wandered away from God in their sin. They worshiped the gods of other nations. They strayed from the path that God had placed them on.

Now Jesus is switching up the imagery about the vine. He says that, ultimately, he has come as the true vine to give people the opportunity to grow in a relationship with God, the way God always intended.

Practically speaking, the church has understood that this happens through spiritual disciplines, such as reading and studying Scripture and spending time in prayer, worship, confession, and fellowship with community. And these things aren't about scoring points with God or trying to make up for our sin. Instead, they are about staying connected to the vine so that we can thrive.

When we draw near to Jesus, we are supported, nourished, and able to bear fruit in our relationship with him.