“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are the persecuted? Is Jesus saying that persecution is a good thing? Certainly not, but those who are persecuted for his sake, He calls them blessed.
Paul makes a sweeping statement that says, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Why? Why must all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus be persecuted? Christianity’s message—the message of Christ stands at odds with the world’s mindset. There is going to always be tension, and because of this tension, conflict is inevitable. Once you say yes to Christ and accept the cross, then you stand at odds with the world.
The message that Jesus comes with is very offensive, and it goes against everything that the world stands for. The message that Jesus preaches is mercy, love, purity, righteousness and peace… why is that offensive? Why would anyone want to persecute that? It’s sin and the love of the world—and the need to justify that love. The bible says that “no one can serve two masters. He will either love one and hate the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other…” Luke 16:14-15. Jesus’ way of life and the message that He preaches is very offensive, hence the reason why Christians are persecuted.
We will be persecuted because we choose Jesus and His way of life. We will be persecuted because we devote ourselves to righteousness and godliness. Not all of us will experience persecution to the extent where we are stoned to death or beheaded, which is what Christ is talking about here, but as Christians, we will have trouble in this world—and Christ tells us these things so that we may have peace in Him. John 16:33. Now, let’s be honest! I can’t say that I’m ready to face persecution like many Christians are experiencing today, but my heart is encouraged.
Beloved, if you choose the way of humility, your life exposes the prideful. If you choose purity, your life will expose people’s love for perversion. If you choose to live spiritually minded, you expose the worldly-mindedness of people around you. If you choose to live for Christ, your life will go against the message that the world preaches. “…everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” John 3:20-21. People hate the light because light exposes darkness. You will be persecuted for exposing people, but Christ calls you blessed when you are persecuted for His sake. The world hated Jesus so it will hate you too.
Beloved, a righteous life will be persecuted, but take heart and find peace in Jesus. The reward of heaven will more than compensate for any suffering you must endure in the service of Christ. “Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
May Christ bring us all into the mystery of joy in agony; the mystery of gladness amid the misery. May we desire the reward of heaven so much more than we desire the reward of the world, for the more our faith is tested; the greater the suffering we have to endure is the greater our reward will be in heaven. May God bring us into this beautiful mystery.
Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.