Blessed Day 14 Blessed Are The Reviled And Persecuted: Digging Deeper
July 30, 2020
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Matthew 5:10-12
12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Original Intent
1) What does Jesus mean when He talks about persecution?
The word ‘persecution’ in the Bible can refer to the idea of pursuing someone, to oppress and harass someone, and also to bring judgment or punishment. In this instance, Jesus is referring to persecution as the consequence of following Him. Jesus knew that every single person who would carry their own cross and follow Him, would eventually face some sort of persecution.
If the world hated Christ, who came to die as a sin offering for them, of course the world would hate His followers as well. (John 15:18-25) All His disciples, but one, were literally persecuted to death. They were stoned, beaten, whipped, imprisoned, crucified, and beheaded.
With these words, Jesus warned His followers of what would happen if they chose to follow Him. Yet, at the same time, He tells them they will be richly blessed if they continue to follow Him despite the suffering. Even better, He has a great reward for them!
The Everyday Application
1) What does Jesus mean when He talks about persecution?
Even though it may be hard to believe that Christians could face persecution in our western culture that would even come close to a death like the first disciples experienced, it does still happen. The Church is widely persecuted in many ways the majority of western believers can’t even imagine or consider.
In some countries, Christians are severely punished even for spreading the Gospel to a single person. In other countries, there are people who face being bullied and discriminated against because of their belief in the Bible, the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ.
We might ask, is persecution something to fear? Is persecution a reason to turn your back from Jesus? Definitely not! Because Jesus tells us in the same sentence that those who suffer persecution for His sake are blessed, and the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.
Temporary suffering will one day be exchanged for eternal reward! What a wonderful promise to cling unto!
The Original Intent
2) How are we able to be glad and rejoice during times of insults and persecution?
Jesus reminds the disciples here that persecution isn’t something new. The prophets who came before, suffered insult and persecution as well as they spoke truth. Let’s have a look at one example in the story of Daniel in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6) During the reign of King Darius, several men couldn’t stand that Daniel had achieved such a high position of influence with the king as a direct result of his loyalty to God. They decided to persuade the king to make a decree that would command the people to pray only to King Darius.
Of course, God’s law forbids such worship (Exodus 20:3) and Daniel faithfully continued praying three times a day to God as had been his habit. The men saw this and arrested Daniel who was thrown into the lions’ den. No one believed he’d survive, but because Daniel had remained faithful to God, even in times of persecution, the Lord sent His angel and sealed the lions’ mouths.
When looking at the prophets from the past, we find courage and hope. Jesus will reward His faithful people and be with them, even unto the end of the world! (Matthew 28:20)
The Everyday Application
2) How are we able to be glad and rejoice during times of insults and persecution?
Feeling happy, and rejoicing in a state of suffering and persecution, doesn’t sound easy at all. How quickly do we murmur and complain if things don’t go right? Even something small!
Yet, Jesus tells us ‘to be glad and rejoice’ in the midst of hardship. But how are we able to do so? Not only can we remember the prophets from the past who endured persecution, we can also look at the cross. Our own personal Saviour, the very Son of God, suffered tremendously, and this only because of your sin and mine. Jesus was crucified and died on the cross, but He conquered death! He overcame the world! (John 16:33)
In this same verse, Jesus tells us, “… in Me you may have peace”. In order to be glad and rejoice during times of insult and persecution, we need only look straight to Jesus. He will bring us peace in the midst of our trials, but also strength (Philippians 4:13) to stand strong and keep going.
Need some more encouragement to be glad during persecution? Remember the words of Paul, “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
The Original Intent
3) What is that great reward in heaven that awaits those who suffer persecution because of Jesus?
Jesus uses the word ‘reward’ quite a few times throughout His ministry on earth. He wanted His disciples to know a reward would be waiting for them in eternity, where “real life” begins. In Matthew 16:27 we read, “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done”.
It’s clear from this verse that the reward will not be received in this present life, but in the future kingdom of heaven when Jesus returns. Then, will He reward everyone according to the works they have done. In His time on earth, Jesus didn’t say much about what exactly the reward of eternity would look like, but He gave future generations more information through His beloved disciple John and his visions which are recorded in the book of Revelation.
The Everyday Application
3) What is that great reward in heaven that awaits those who suffer persecution because of Jesus?
In Revelation, we find a list of several rewards that will be granted to faithful followers of Christ. Here is a list of the rewards Jesus mentions to seven specific churches:
- The right to eat from the tree of life (Revelation 2:7)
- A crown of life (Revelation 2:10)
- To not be harmed by the second death (that is the final judgement) (Revelation 2:11)
- To eat from the hidden manna (Revelation 2:17)
- A white stone with a new name written on it (Revelation 2:17)
- Authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26)
- The presence of the Morning Star (Christ) (Revelation 2:28)
- White clothes; and his name confessed before God and His angels (Revelation 3:5)
- To be made a pillar in the temple of God, and to receive the name of God, the name of the city of God, and Jesus’ new name (Revelation 3:12)
- The right to sit with Jesus on His throne (Revelation 3:21)
In 2 Timothy 4:8 we also read of a crown of righteousness reserved for “all those who have loved [Jesus] appearing”. The crown of life is not only mentioned in Revelation, but also in James 1:12.
In this verse, we are reminded of the trials believers will endure, the blessing that comes from these trials, and our reward, “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”.
Finally, Peter mentions a crown of glory we’ll receive when our Shepherd appears. (1 Peter 5:4) Regardless of our trials, we must keep our eyes on Jesus and remember we are blessed!
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