Persecuted

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
– Matthew 5:10-12

Of the beatitudes in this section of teaching, this one clearly reflects what Jesus’ life was like. It also reflects what very likely will be waiting in the life of one who follows Jesus. The initial phrase might seem contradictory in nature. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted.” That is not how we typically think. Most people do not understand persecution as something to be preferred. As such, it will be helpful to remember how we are thinking in regard to the term “blessed.” Jesus was not conveying the idea of being happy, as if one enjoys being persecuted. Rather, “blessed” means receiving the goodness of God and/or standing in God’s approval.

Jesus is also quite specific in his observation. He speaks not about persecution in general, but persecution that comes as a direct result of pursuing righteousness. To such people the Kingdom of Heaven belongs. It is the same idea found in verse 6, where Jesus says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be satisfied. They WILL be satisfied. It may come through much hardship, but it will happen. While in the city of Lystra, the apostle Paul was stoned and left for dead. After being revived, he encouraged the other followers of Jesus by saying “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). God’s promise is not for an easy journey, but for a glorious destination.

Sometimes difficulty is moderated by good company. Jesus offers some encouragement to those mistreated for the Kingdom by reminding them that they stand in the company of faithful prophets. Look at the prophets of the Old Testament and you will observe lives full of difficulty. The “prophets” who had it easy were the ones who told the people what they wanted to hear, not what they needed to hear. Elijah and Jeremiah immediately come to mind as men who were threatened and afflicted for pursuing God’s will. In Jesus’ own day, his cousin John (the baptizer) had his life brutally taken because he loved and pursued righteousness. How wonderful must be the reward for these people in heaven!

When we suffer hardship for pursuing righteousness, our best hope may not be to have our suffering relieved, but instead to find encouragement so we can persevere. We are roughly 2,000 years from the time Jesus walked the earth, and there have been countless generations of saints who have walked the path before us. We are NOT the first or the only to face hardship for Jesus’ sake. The words of Hebrews 12:1-2 may be a good conclusion for us today.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

See you along the Winding Path.