The Beatitudes
10 Truths
Blessed are those who are persecuted (Matthew 5:10).
Matthew's Beatitude 8
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who have been persecuted because of righteousness because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
This is a beatitude that resembles the first beatitude because it repeats “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It forms an inclusio, a literary device that envelops all eight Beatitudes between the first and the last.
The next beatitude we will look at gives a different take on persecution. It gets more specific than this one and tells us how to react to persecution.
What is persecution?
It is to be put on trial, pursued with the intent to harm, and even results in death. Persecution has many forms in cultures and the world system. These include “physical (beatings, stoning), verbal (mocking, insults, slander), social (excommunication or ostracism), or mental (intimidation, threats). Persecution also involves or can lead to imprisonment, banishment (Outcast), even death.”1
Expect persecution
The New Testament tells us to expect persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus expects us to endure trials, suffering, and persecution. The New Testament writers talk about persecution and suffering a great deal.
The prosperity gospel, preaching and teaching that Christians should be wealthy, healthy, and suffer no problems in this life stands in stark contrast to biblical teaching about persecution and suffering.
We need to stand against such teaching because it does not represent the biblical witness of what Jesus expects and our experience. It may be one reason Christians do not understand why they are going through trials and suffering.
Early Christians expected persecution. They saw it as a way to live out their faith before others. Jesus said that we would have tribulation in this world (John 16:33). They were tortured in the Coliseum and faced many social pressures to do as the Romans do.
For righteousness’ sake
You cannot say you are suffering persecution if it is rightly given because of sinfulness and wicked living (1 Peter 2:20-23; 4:15). Jesus qualifies persecution and suffering because of righteousness.
When you live a holy, devout, and righteous life before God and people, they persecute you because you do what God requires of you. This is sometimes in contradiction to what the world tells you to do.
You cannot be obnoxious or a jerk. That does not count as persecution for righteousness. If people persecute you because of your “saucy personality” or the way you respond with irony, sarcasm, or out of moral superiority, they are treating you like this because of your personality and approach, not righteousness. If you point out what is true, right, and godly in a conceited work that puts others down, they may persecute you because of your approach.
Jesus blesses you because of persecution for righteousness. You receive it partially now and completely in heaven. In the midst of your suffering persecution, Jesus is with you and gives you strength to endure it.
Part of God’s Kingdom
Jesus promises that you will belong to the kingdom of heaven. When you get to heaven, there will be a great reward for you. The Bible does not completely spell this out, but it involves God recognizing you and honoring you for your commitment and dedication to Him.
God is watching you and He will vindicate you. He sees your struggling and suffering in secret and in the hidden place where no one sees it. It is better to receive God’s recognition rather than the recognition of others.
What to do in persecution
- Pray. When people persecute you, you can take it to Jesus. Prayer is an effective way to maintain union with Christ when you suffer persecution. Jesus and the Spirit can direct you on what to do about it. Asked Jesus to give you strength to respond. The Bible says He will give you the words to speak (Matthew 10:19-20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12; 21:14-15). He will be with you in persecution.
- Witness for Christ (1 Peter 3:14-17). Tertullian, one of the early church fathers said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” He pointed out that persecution and martyrdom often cause the Church to grow. People see our resolve and dedication to Christ and realize that giving our life for the gospel shows there is truth to our claims about Jesus. This does not mean you will have to give up your life, but you can be more effective in witnessing for Christ through suffering and persecution.
- Show compassion. Jesus showed compassion to the crowd on the Cross when He forgave them. He did not have to do that. When we forgive others and show compassion as they persecute us, they cannot understand why. It is an opportunity to tell them about Jesus.
How to help those suffering persecution
The Bible tells us that most of us have not suffered persecution to the point of shedding our blood (Hebrews 12:3-4). But we overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
But there are Christians suffering persecution and death for their faith all around the world. We do not hear much of it in America because most of the persecution we face comes from trying to destroy our reputation or speak evil against us. Here are some ways you can support those Christians:
- Pray for them. Prayer moves the hand of God. You should regularly pray for persecuted Christians across the globe. Perhaps God wakes you up in the middle of the night to pray for them. I have found that my prayer for missionaries and Christians in the middle of the night here corresponded with extreme persecution where they were at that moment.
- Develop awareness. You must become aware of persecution of Christians around the world. A helpful publication, The Voice of the Martyrs, is a powerful way to do this. Then let other people know about the persecution of Christians in the world. Do this in the appropriate setting. You cannot just talk about persecuted Christians all day long. But if the opportunity presents itself, inform others of the serious persecution happening around the world.
- Material support. You can send money, clothing, and basic necessities that Christians around the world are not getting where they live. They may be socially and politically persecuted, or unable to purchase what they need. This happened in the early church and it happens today.
- Educate others. Sometimes people do not understand persecution elsewhere because we do not experience it here in the same way. Tell others what Christians face worldwide and explain the kinds of persecution that happen under other religions, regimes, and political systems.
Responding to persecution
- Don’t be surprised, ashamed, or afraid (1 Peter 4:16). We should expect persecution. When it comes, you will be prepared for it. You do not have to be ashamed of Jesus. Represent Him well in persecution. When you are afraid, remember that God has not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is real but God is with you (Isaiah 41:10). He is with you in your persecution. He will give you strength, understanding, and a real sense of His presence.
- Love your persecutors (Matthew 5:44). Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. They will not expect you to show them love. Human nature fights back, defames their reputation, and seeks to destroy them. Loving them may make them wonder why you do not respond the way everyone else does. Tell them it is because Jesus loved you when you hated Him.
- Do not seek revenge (Romans 12:17-21). Your persecutors will not expect you to treat them well when they are treating you so terribly. Paul says it will befuddle them. It may even open the door for you to share the gospel with them.
Life Change
- Do you face persecution at work, among your peers, in your family, or elsewhere elsewhere? How do you deal with it?
- Do you have to change your tactics so people persecute you because of righteousness and not your personality or approach? How will you change your approach?
- What has encouraged you about how to face persecution in this teaching?
- Did you realize we should expect persecution? Now that you know, how will you prepare for it in your mind and heart?
- How can you encourage and help persecuted Christians around the world?