The Beatitudes: The Persecuted
Being a Christian is not an easy task. If you need any proof of that, consider the early church in the time shortly after Jesus rose from the dead. Apostles Peter, Paul, and others were being jailed, tortured, and forced to endure the worst ordeals the unbelievers could muster against them. Stephen was stoned to death for his preaching of Jesus the Messiah. But, throughout all of these trials, Stephen and others who preached the Gospel had the words of Jesus that they could look to for strength. We have the same opportunity!
Matthew 5:10-12
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus tells us of the rewards for those who were persecuted and hated for the sake of His name and the truth He embodies. There are many reasons this Scripture should stand out and be remembered in order to strengthen the faithful:
First, no matter how many people turn away from us, hate us, or insult us for proclaiming the Gospel, we are righteous in our pursuits. As we can remember from a previous Beatitude, righteousness is something we seek out for our spirits like our bodies search for food and water to sustain us. We do right, walk in Jesus’ footsteps, and proclaim it as truth as a righteous person. We must not let anyone discourage us from preaching Jesus.
Second, the things said against us, evil and wrong, should be remembered as totally false and should be brushed off as such. Evil does not mix with righteousness, therefore we can adequately push aside such evil if we are living in God’s will. People who speak against truth use empty words that cannot influence truly Godly people. We should take strength in the promise of Jesus that all who are persecuted in His name will be rewarded with a place in His kingdom!
This Beatitude is the culmination and conclusion of the Beatitudes. If we are following these Beatitudes that start off the Sermon on the Mount, then we will be persecuted for Jesus’ name. If we are poor in spirit, meek, humble, mournful, hungering for righteousness, pure in heart, and sowing seeds of peace, we will be persecuted for proclaiming the teachings of our Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the truth and the only truth! For this, people will ridicule us, spat evil at us, and hate us for what we are, but we have the ultimate reward of the Kingdom of Heaven with Jesus forever!
Buzz
