The disciples had enjoyed sharing the public’s approval of Jesus, and were about to see the worst of people’s hatred. It was great training for the apostles (the contrast between their popularity in Acts 2:47 and their persecution in Acts 8:1 showed them what was to come).  Jesus was preparing them for the hatred they would have to endure.  If Jesus had only offered healing and help to poor people, and dignity to rich people – most people would have been happy.  But He demanded self-sacrifice and wholehearted obedience, contradicting the worldly values they loved.
 
Within hours of saying this, powerful religious people would stir up the crowds to hate Jesus, because they did not want Him to be their King (John 19:6).  Selfish human hearts hate the idea of giving away their right to rule themselves – and that is the essence of sin.  Worldly people believe that it is normal and right to be independent from the God who made them.

But Jesus taught that it is ‘normal’ in God’s sight for people to love and obey their Creator.  Those who believed Him could no longer feel completely ‘at home’ in the world anymore (John 17:14). They are also a continual reminder to the world that God knows they are sinful, and so they want Him to stop interfering with their lives.  In the same way, Christians are hated: not all the time, but when they proclaim Christ, or get in the way of sin or expose it, they are persecuted.
 
If you have received Jesus Christ as Lord, you will be an embarrassment to someone who does not want Jesus to be Lord of their lives. Their reaction may vary from ignoring you, mocking you, blocking your applications or promotion. Sometimes their persecution is physical and violent.  It may not happen all the time, but it will happen sometime.  Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted …”  When it comes to you, remember what Jesus said.  The world hated Jesus first; it is because you do not belong to this world; you have been specially chosen by Jesus to be different from the world.  So just keep trusting the Lord who loves you, chose you and will use you to bring His light to a dark and sinful world.