If you’ve traveled to Israel on a Holy Land pilgrimage, you’ve no doubt visited Nazareth in the Lower Galilee. Lord Jesus grew up here, just about one block away from where my spouse also grew up.

When I visit Nazareth, I walk the streets, sidewalks and stairs, climbing higher and higher until I reach my mother-in-law’s home. The city sits atop five mountains and her house is built into the side of one. I like to walk instead of travel in a car because I can see the people, greet them, speak with them and take my time. My daily habit is to stop and pray in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation built over Mary’s well. You can still drink from it. Up to the right of the well are stairs seen behind glass, those which Mary, the mother of Jesus would have used to descend to the well and fill her water jugs.

The church itself is about 600 years old and is our family church. My children were baptized here in deep golden bowls of water infused with oil, numerous family wedding ceremonies have been conducted inside, and final funeral ceremonies are held, including my father-in-law’s.

This church is a holy place, built to preserve a Biblical location. Here, the virgin Mary received a visit from the angel Gabriel, telling her that she would become the mother of the Savior. (Luke 1:26-38) At this time, the Jewish nation endured persecution at the hands of the Romans. They looked for a savior.

Beneath the church are tunnels and hidden caves where early Christians, persecuted, worshiped in secret. Passing through priestly gardens, my father-in-law once took me below through a cobbed web entrance to see this. Persecution of the early church pushed believers out of Jerusalem and into other places, taking the Gospel with them. (Acts 8:1)

Lord Jesus explained this to His disciples: “Remember the Word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20) The Lord was persecuted throughout His ministry, tortured, and then crucified.

This is the life of a follower of Lord Jesus; it will not always be as a ship upon a calm balmy sea. Storms suddenly surf up!

Why? Why are believers hated so?

Lord Jesus stated, ““They have done this to fulfill the Word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” (Psalm 69:4)

We are hated by the world because we are in the world, but NOT of it. We are from the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of Lord Jesus, and NOT the Kingdom of Darkness, the Kingdom of this world. (Colossians 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:2; 1John 5:19) The two kingdoms are at war with each other.

When you are attacked and hated, persecuted, even oppressed on every side, look to The Lord, Who understands well what you go through. He will help you. (Psalm 46:1)

My spouse’s family dates their faith back 2000 years. They have lived through many wars, racial conflicts, and religious attacks. Before my father-in-law went to Heaven, he had lived through 14 wars, each day prepared as if it was his last.

LOOK UP!