Teaching from the Mountainsisde - Pt. 9

 

[Jesus said] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “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 5:10-12 ESV).

 

In 2019, Christians were harassed either by the government or social groups in 102 of 198 countries included in a Pew Research Center study, the highest tally for any religious group. An earlier study by other researchers reported a 309 percent jump in attacks on Christians in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In fact, as we read this devotional, millions of Christians around the world are being persecuted for their faith. Some will lose their jobs or face government harassment. Some will be locked up in prison cells. Some will be tortured or even killed because of their faith in Jesus.

 

Many of us will not face difficulties like that for our allegiance to Christ. But we might hear taunting from classmates who laugh at us when we state our beliefs. We might have to put up with people who accuse us of thinking we’re “so much better than everyone else”! Family members might be angry with us for our beliefs. If we take seriously our calling as followers of Jesus, we will face insults, false accusations, or some kinds of persecution.

 

And for this Jesus tells us to rejoice! Know that God uses hardships to refine and mature us as his children. He also shows us that as we suffer for our faith, we participate in the life Jesus lived. When the world saw Jesus in all his perfection, they killed him. We must include ourselves among those who persecuted Jesus: it was our sin that put him on the cross. Yet Jesus loved and prayed for all who persecuted him. When we face the hatred of a sinful world, we will enjoy the blessing of God’s presence.

 

Of course, this does not mean we should not avail ourselves of the freedoms that are ours to peacefully make our beliefs known. We are not being asked to merely suffer in silence. However, it means we know that regardless of the acceptance of others, we are accepted by Christ and will be rewarded for our trials with the kingdom of heaven. Preach the Gospel faithfully; pray for those who reject you; extend grace and forgiveness to those who seek to harm you. This is the way of the believer!