I’ve made reference to this passage before, but I want to revisit it today. It’s an important one and we should never forget it, especially when the old devil launches a roundhouse right that connects with our jaws. The passage I refer to is Matthew 5:10-12. When Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, He taught that there are certain characteristics we must adopt if we want to be truly, eternally successful. First you have to empty yourself (poor in spirit), mourn (see James 4:9,10) and be meek. These attitudes cause a drain on our spirits; it’s like using the energy we draw from the food we eat. The difference is that the drain is spiritual. If we’ll develop a hunger and thirst for righteousness, He will satisfy that hunger and give us the nourishment for our spirits we need to survive. That allows us to have the spiritual energy to show mercy, purify our hearts and be peacemakers. Sometimes, though, those who are at enmity (those who don’t have peace) resent the peacemaker. You’ll remember that when Moses tried making peace, it didn’t go over too well, did it? See Exodus 2:14. For this reason, the next thing Jesus says is: “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).
It’s a hard blow when people “insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of” Jesus. And yet, Jesus said, “Blessed are you…” when this happens! And one of the reasons He could say we are “blessed” in this case is that we’re in good company. One definition of the Greek word translated “blessed” is “happy.” In other words, there is a happiness associated with suffering persecution (and Jesus says verbal abuse is persecution here). Obviously, this is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill happiness. It sure doesn’t feel like the happiness I feel when people are nice! This is a happiness that is so deeply rooted in our spiritual make-up that the world will never understand it and we may miss it ourselves if we don’t look for it with a spiritual perception that looks at all things from Jesus’ perspective. It’s the kind of happiness or joy that would allow Peter and the other apostles to say, in the face of death, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). It’s the kind of happiness that caused them to exit the chambers of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council) “…rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).
There are times when every one of us needs to remember these verses (and others like them). All of us have times when the words of a loved one, a fellow Christian, a workmate or schoolmate hurt and injure. There are times when every one of us needs encouragement. I’ve told you countless times of the encouragement you give me with the replies I receive from so many of you. But these verses I give to you are of equal encouragement to me. God loves me and I’m so humbled and overjoyed that He does. And God loves you and so do I. God bless you and may you never forget that He will not abandon you if you will stay the course, faithful until death.
I hope you have a great week and know that to him who overcomes, Jesus will grant to him to sit down with Him on His throne, as He also overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne (Revelation 3:21).
Donnie Bates