Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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The Beatitudes
[Jesus] said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Three Hells Angels, parked up and entered a diner. They sat beside a truck driver and began to persecute him. One spat in his coffee and said, ‘Go on drink it.’ The trucker remained silent. The second picked up the trucker’s burger and started eating it. ‘Try and stop me,’ he said. The trucker remained silent. The third said are you going to stand up for yourself or are you frightened? The Trucker got up, went to the checkout, paid the owner of the diner for his food and left.
The three laughed and laughed, they said that trucker couldn’t fight, couldn’t speak up, couldn’t stand up for himself.
The owner of the diner said, he couldn’t drive either, he has just driven over three motorbikes as he left!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
Persecution for Righteousness
As we come to the last in our series on the Beatitudes, I’m tempted to ask, do you have a favourite?
I don’t think there will be many takers for number 8!
To be blessed is to be touched by God, in some mysterious way.
Recently, I was telling a friend that my little dog ‘Alfie,’ a King Charles Spaniel, stood up to a large Irish Setter that was intent on lifting its leg in His territory. ‘Aw, Bless’ said my friend.
Looking at the other seven Beatitudes, how many of them could you say ‘Aw Bless’ to?
1. The poor in spirit…Aw Bless 2. Those who mourn…Aw Bless 3. The meek…Aw Bless 4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…Aw Bless 5. The merciful…… Aw Bless; 6. The pure in heart….Aw Bless. 7. The peacemakers….. Aw Bless;
8. Those who are persecuted….. No thanks!
I’d love to ask Jesus, why he finished off this set of ‘blessedness’ with ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.’
I wonder if it was because He knew Christians, down the generations, would be persecuted for standing up for Jesus.
It does happen. There is persecution for righteousness. It is a fact that more people have been persecuted for righteousness in the last one hundred years than all the Christian martyrs of the last 1900 years. In London’s Westminster Abbey, ten statues have been sculptured to commemorate 20th-Century Christians who lost their lives for their stand for righteousness.
Persecution still happens. Allegedly, China doesn’t just punch her weight in the Olympics, persecution still happens. Christians in North Korea will not bow to portraits of Kim Jong Un and persecution follows. Just to mention some countries, lets’ say, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Syria, Iraq and Indonesia speak volumes, persecution still happens.
Closer to home, a student is ridiculed for speaking positively about Jesus Christ, an employee is suspended for wearing a cross, a Christian girl is teased for her determination to remain a virgin until marriage, a cafe owner is arrested the ambiece in his cafe - they play Christians songs with scripture overlaid …. Persecution for righteousness does happen.
Maybe Alfie my King Charles Spaniel can teach us a lesson. He was standing up for his territory, Jesus calls us to stand up for righteousness, what is right, good and what is just. That’s the Christians’ territory and there is a lot of ‘unrighteousness’ around.
To be a Christian is not an easy option but it is an easy choice. It is a choice that will give you a fulfilment and a purpose in life.
A purpose you will find no other way. It is a choice which secures your eternal destiny, eternal life.
To be blessed is to be touched by Jesus Christ. What an honour, to be touched by Jesus.
Because you stand up for him, it may result in persecution.
Want to Go Deeper?
Think about this, Jesus repeats this beatitude in Matthew 5:11 and develops it in verse 12 into a heavenly dimension. “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. Why the repetition Lord?
The eighth Beatitude is presented in the third person ‘Blessed are those…’ then in the repetition, he makes it personal, ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you…. because of me.’ Yes, every Christian is called to be a peacemaker (the seventh beatitude) and we are to expect persecution (the eighth) - it is personal. Remember Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Could Jesus be leading us into our responding to the above with a call to be ‘salt and light’ in the world - I think so (Matthew 5:11-14).
Challenge: In this beatitude, Jesus doesn’t suggest complaining. How do you deal with persecution?
Choices: Complain, stand firm or run from it? Read the James 1:2-3 for some tips!
Pray: Lord of Light and Love, one candle can dispel the darkness, by our lives help us to bring your light into the darkness. May we know your guiding presence in our times of persecution, and help us stand up for righteousness, through Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:10
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
City Alight
