"Good point, but the truth is, they killed Jesus. Can we expect them to hate us less?"
Last time I checked, Jesus died for our sins.
---- at the order of, and under the sole legal authorit of, Potius Pilate, the Roman governor.
Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but "they" hated him and wanted him killed. It is interesting to note that the scholars of that day, the educated, the highly placed (Sadducees, Pharisees), were the ones who really hated Jesus and it is no different today. Most of those in lofty positions in academia, etc. hate the believers of Christ.
I stand firm in my belief that if they hated Him, they will hate me. God used their hate to allow His perfect plan to unfold, but that doesn't change anything. Pilate was just an intermediary.