“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
Make no mistake: If you are a follower of Jesus, the world hates you just like it hated Him. Now, this doesn’t mean that everyone who isn’t one of His followers as well hates you. You may (and should) have friends who are non-believers, some of whom may be very good friends. But, for anyone who is committed to the ends of the world (the elevation of self and the desires of the flesh above all else), they will hate the ends of the kingdom toward which you are working (the elevation of God and the humiliation of self), a hatred which will eventually be worked out through you.
Persecution should never surprise us as followers of Jesus. If we behave as He did, we will be treated as He was as well. This should be a mark of pride, knowing that we are on the right track.
The Nexus 
I believe there are two references/verses in the bible about the world hating Christians. It has been a verse that has challenged/startled me when reading it, yet why should I be surprised given the culture we live in. Last evening watching the Academy Awards one could wonder how many of those people disparage Christians, and yet I must know too that there are many believers in that hall even so. And so many of them need our prayers and encouragement in living the Christian life. We must not feel superior or critical.
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Getting humility right is always a tough balance. We have something good the world doesn’t have–Jesus–and it hates us for it. Rather, it hates the things we have. But, we are the most convenient target so it feels like the hatred is directed toward us. This is not a call, though, for pride or a return of the favor, but for humble sharing and faithful prayer for those–like Christians in Hollywood–who are more in the crosshairs of that hatred than perhaps we are.
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