In a recent article for the church newsletter I wrote that when I speak or write about suffering, I sometimes feel like Bill Gates speaking about the hardships of poverty, or Britney Spears discussing the joys of modesty. I just don’t know that I’ve experienced it all that profoundly. (Not that I’m complaining about that.)

Well, I’m not much more familiar with the harsher realities of persecution.  Aside from the neighbor who’s continually snubbed me ever since he discovered I’m a Christian (and far worse — a pastor!), I must say that I haven’t been greatly persecuted.

Perhaps that’s because (as we occasionally say in a prayer at Cornerstone) at times I have hardly make it known that I am His. 

But when the king spoke his beatitudes from the mountain, that’s where he goes next.  He moves from peace–making (see the June 17, 2008 post) to persecution.  He knew that in this world his followers would occasionally face hostility.  Some, having rejected Christ themselves, will not waste an opportunity to “revile,” “persecute,” and “utter all kinds of evil against [the followers of Christ] falsely” (Matthew 5.11).

And how did Jesus want us to meet those moments?  Matthew 5.12:  “Rejoice and be glad.”

Really? 

Yes.  As John Stott writes, “We are not to retaliate like an unbeliever, nor to sulk like a child, nor to lick our wounds in self–pity like a dog, nor just grin and bear it like a Stoic, still less to pretend we enjoy it like a masochist.”

We are to rejoice and be glad like Christians.  Jesus meant this!  (See how strongly he expresses it in Luke 6.22–23!)

In the Matthew passage (quoted below) Jesus seems to give three reasons for such a counterintuitive command.  Rejoice at persecution, first of all, because “your reward is great in heaven.” That is to say, though you may lose all things here, Jesus promises to restore all of it (and infinitely more!) when he makes all things new.

The second reason to rejoice at persecution that comes to us “for righteousness’ sake” (Mt.5.10) and “on [Christ’s] account” (Mt.5.11) is because it is a mark of the authenticity of your faith.  As Jesus says here, “for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” As uncomfortable as it is, persecution is often an indication of Christian faithfulness.  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (Jesus in John 15.18).

Thirdly, we can rejoice when people slander, revile, snub or exclude us because we are suffering this, as Jesus says, “on my account” (v.11).  If you are slighted by men because of your loyalty to Christ and his truth, rejoice.  Be assured that God sees.  He knows.

Oh, to have the instincts of the apostles, who — after being beaten for the name of Christ — “left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5.41).

But still… this is a difficult word.  So we’ll pick it up again next time we return to our “life” category.

“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