Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted Because of Righteousness, For Theirs Is the Kingdom of Heaven
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NIV)
The final beatitude in the introduction of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount may be the most difficult of all for us. Like the others, it runs contrary to our human nature, especially when we’re being mistreated for doing the right thing! When Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. ...” it was like saying, “Happy are the harassed!” Who associates “happiness” with any of the characteristics Jesus gave for a blessed life? Humility, mourning, meekness, righteousness, mercy, purity of heart or peacemaking aren’t typically on our list. Even less would be persecution, insults and slander! If you read the next couple of verses Jesus amplifies this beatitude by saying, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)
Jesus knew what His followers did not know. He knew that Kingdom living would result in humiliation and persecution. Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christ followers in the early church, who would later suffer much persecution himself when he became a missionary and church planter, told young Timothy, “You know how many troubles I have had as a result of my preaching the Good News. You know about all that was done to me while I was visiting in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, but the Lord delivered me. Yes, and those who decide to please Christ Jesus by living godly lives will suffer at the hands of those who hate Him.” 2 Timothy 3:11-12 (TLB) Why? Why is it that living a godly life would bring persecution? Why would anyone suffer for doing the right thing? We only have to look at the life of Christ to see the answer. He never sinned? He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, delivered those oppressed by the devil, and even raised the dead! He fed the multitudes, showed kindness to the outcast, and came to save us from our sins. Yet how was He treated? He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. He was handed over to an angry mob, falsely accused, insulted, beaten, and crucified, yet without a single fault of His own! It doesn’t make sense does it – until you realize how treacherous our sinful nature is. Light always exposes darkness. A holy and righteous life brings conviction to those living in darkness. It is a rebuke to their pride that either brings repentance or disdain and rejection. Though crowds followed Him, Jesus never went along with the crowd. Even though His uncompromising message was given with compassion, many just didn’t want to hear it because there was no middle ground. The same is true today. Whenever the gospel is proclaimed, people will either receive it or reject it. Compounding the sinfulness of the human heart, Satan is an active force of evil that hates the truth. He incites the hatred of all that is true and right and fills the hearts of wicked men to do evil. He filled the heart of Judas to betray Christ.
The final beatitude is the longest of all. I believe He gave it to prepare us for persecution. It’s not a matter of if we are persecuted but when. Persecution can come as a result of insults, false accusations, loss of reputation, and career or physical pain. No matter what form it takes Jesus said three things about persecution.
This is the only beatitude out of the eight that gets a “double” blessing. “Blessed” is repeated in verses 9 and 10. It’s as if Jesus is saying that those who are persecuted are double-blessed! Because you are given the kingdom of heaven, not even the worst that someone could do to you can take that away!
You have cause to rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven! The only occasion I remember Jesus standing in heaven was when Stephen, the first church martyr, was being stoned to death. Stephen’s entrance into heaven was met with a standing ovation led by Jesus, Himself!
When you are being persecuted you are in good company! Jesus said, “… for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:12 (NIV)
As tempting as it is, don’t turn inward when you are mistreated for Christ. Look upward! Rejoice and be glad, you are double-blessed!
Take a moment before we leave the beatitudes and review all eight of them. Notice their progression and how one builds upon the other. Each one is characteristic of the life of Christ and the life He imparts within us. They are not goals to achieve but reflections of His image and likeness to receive as we yield our lives to His care and control. As a Christ follower, you and I are citizens of the Kingdom of God. He wants us to live a blessed life! In what ways are you seeing each beatitude fleshed out in your own life as you grow in Christ? I would love for you to share that with me.