Blessed Persecution

Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
 
WE really don’t like this beatitude, this blessing, do we? Oh, we can tell one another, “Stand for Jesus no matter what! Rejoice in the ways people ridicule you, hate you, despise you and even try to kill you because God will blees you!”
   Those are easy words to say, but we surely have no desire to live them to the point we face harm or death for our faith. Think, for example, of how easily anxious we become when we want to suggest something new in our local church. Or we might stop short of total commitment to a church project when we know some people will not like us for it. Persecution of conflict often comes if you want to change the music, discipline an unrepentant member or even teach Jesus’ truths of the Bible against what people think is Jesus’ truth.
   No, we really don’t like to be persecuted for Jesus. We reject opportunities to talk of Jesus to classmates, workmates, and church mates who will reject us for our “radical” faith.
   Still, there is this remarkable promise from the King of Kings. To fully experience God’s blessings, we must put aside our fears to know God’s favor is especially on those who faithfully stand to suffer in the name and truth of Jesus. 365 million Christians live today in countries who officially persecute Christians with their laws and culture. Each new year marks the highest level of persecution in the church’s history. These faithful people believe what Jesus says. They live out his love amid the hatred trying to destroy them. The faithful persecuted are willing to take up their cross for Jesus’ sake because that is the full expression of their love for him. Jesus loved us even to the tomb.. If we are his followers, how could we not love the same? Even more, we rejoice  as we are under trial!  
   Jesus confirms that when we call him “Lord” we are to rejoice above earthly trials. Consider that Jesus spoke this rejoicing command to his own people who were persecuted by Rome, Herod and their own religious leaders. How could they be blessed and rejoice?
   Jesus teaches them how. “Rejoice” doesn’t mean mere happiness. “Rejoice” is action! It is what you do when a loved one is healed from a deadly disease or when a good friend confesses Christ. You “leap for joy” for the victory that will always mark that person’s life. Jesus effectively says, “When you realize the blessings you receive from God’s truth, jump up and down! Celebrate!”
   As we respond to God’s blessing of our salvation through Jesus, the rejoicing must go deep into the heart, mind and soul. Are you the Lord’s own? Then leap for joy. Be “exceedingly glad” because he has called you to this eternal relationship.