“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 10
Some believers miss the point; some of us are rejected and persecuted because of certain personality characteristics that we have… maybe we’re rude, obnoxious, irresponsible, or abrasive. The key phrase is “for the sake of righteousness.” It has nothing to do with suffering because of our sin! Persecution will come because of our character. From the beginning of time, the righteous have always been persecuted by the hands of the ungodly…
“Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” Matthew 23: 34-35
Jesus summarized the history of Old Testament martyrdom. Abel was the first martyr; Zechariah was the last mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Zechariah is a classic example of a man of God who was killed by those who claimed to be God’s people. Jesus gave us the reason unbelievers will hate us… because He was righteous and He exposed them for what they really were – Haters of God – men like darkness more than the light because their sin will not be exposed. They hate us because we remind them of Jesus. We’re not perfect like Him, but our inward character is being transformed like His… we are simply a constant reminder!
But here’s an ugly truth… We sometimes experience persecution more from fellow believers than from the ungodly. Maybe you’re surrounded by religious people who say, “It’s good you found God, but you don’t have to be a fanatic about it.” Can someone say amen? I certainly have gotten that one before! Or perhaps you’re being used by God to do something great for the Kingdom – other believers don’t like it, or won’t acknowledge what you’re doing because their walk is so weak. Or perhaps it’s because they’re so carnal. I get ignored too! I’m sure some of you do as well! But take heart because God sees you, and your reward will be great in Heaven!
Unrighteousness always has a problem with righteousness. Our very character is a clash with the world. It serves as a rebuke, and so they’re (the ungodly) are going to strike back… and THIS is what Jesus is talking about.
We’re just getting started on this Beatitude. More to come – stay tuned!
