Joy in Persecution
Matthew 5:11-12
A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the concept of persecution for righteousness' sake. We defined persecution as hostility stemming from hate. The text highlighted the fact that receiving persecution is only Christian, biblical, and blessed (leading to happiness) when it is for righteousness. We are called to be righteous, to conduct ourselves properly before God and to do often can incur the wrath of others. It's not enough just to be a good, nice person... we need to live in obedience. We learned that if you live like Jesus did, you will be hated like Jesus is... and thus treated like Jesus was. Today, we will expand on the topic of persecution and discover its different forms, identify the cause for persecution, and discover the cause for celebration when we encounter this kind of persecution.
Three Forms of Persecution
1. Verbal Insults - "Blessed are you when people insult you..."
The Christian is blessed when insulted. The word, insult, carries the idea of having hurtful words thrown at you. To be insulted is to be blamed and mocked by others. It's to literally be attacked by words spoken at you about you. Jesus was the target of insult while He hung on the cross. Mark 15:29-32 records the account –
"Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him (Jesus), wagging their heads, and saying, ‘Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!’ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!’ Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting." Jesus endured persecution
The point is this… if you are really following Christ, you will be treated like Christ. Matthew 10:24 – “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” To be persecuted is to be verbally insulted.
2. Physical Attacks - “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you”
If you notice, all the other beatitudes prior to verse 10 had to do with the Christian’s internal qualities and attitudes. As we expand on persecution, we are discussing strictly external things that happen to the believer. Here the word used for persecute is diōkō (διώκω). Back in those days, diōkō (translated persecution) carried the idea of being chased, pursued, and physically attacked with the intent to hurt… and often to kill. It’s used in Luke 21:12
“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.”
Jesus’ followers were literally, physically thrown in jail when they were persecuted. Diōkō διώκω) referred to physical attack. If you read further in that passage, we find out who was actually persecuting them. Luke 21:16 “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.” It was the people closest to them… parents, brothers, relatives, and friends… who were putting them to death. Persecution often began with physical attacks which led to death. The same word (διώκω) is used in Acts 7:52 – “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One.” Prophets experiencing persecution were killed. God even asked Paul (pre-conversion) in Acts 9:4 – “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Prior to this in v1 of that same chapter, we learned that Saul was threatening and murdering disciples of the Lord. Saul was chasing Christians down to throw them in prison. Persecution can involve physical attacks.
3. False Accusations – “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you”Persecution can also come in the form of false accusations. False accusations are lies that damage your reputation and these are different from verbal insults. While verbal insults are hurtful things spoken directly to you… false accusations are lies spread behind your back. These are more devious and harder to defend against because you often don’t even know about them. False sayings can be spread and believed before one has a chance to do anything about the lies… and one’s reputation is damaged in the process. When you become a Christian and live like a Christian… you can expect “all kinds of evil” being spoken against you. The phrase all kinds of evil means every type/form of wicked, bad, painful, troublesome speech. The false accusations spoken about a Christian are many (all kinds) and hurt your reputation (they’re evil).
Why will I be persecuted?
“… because of Me.”
Celebrate over this kind of persecution
“Rejoice and be glad”
We’re to rejoice over this kind of persecution. We’re to be exceedingly happy and filled with joy. The word “rejoice” is in the present tense… which implies a continuous action. To rejoice is to continue to be happy, to be rejoicing. It’s not a one-time occurrence. Furthermore, let me clarify further that this is not an invitation to celebrate over all kinds of persecution. Jesus wasn’t calling His disciples to rejoice when they were hated, insulted, physically attacked, and falsely accused… Jesus was calling them to be happy when people insult, physically attack, and falsely accuse on account of Christ’s name. Persecution because you’re a Christian and bear Christ’s name… that kind (and only that kind) of persecution is reason to celebrate! If you’re hated because you follow Jesus, you have proof that you’ve been saved. It’s a great thing to be persecuted because of Christ. It says in 1 Peter 3:17 – “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” Have you ever considered this? It’s better to suffer as a Christian than to be happy as an unbeliever. Persecution as a Christian is far better than temporary peace as an unbeliever. Why?
Because there is a great reward
“for your reward in heaven is great”
There is a great reward in store for those who suffer persecution. Those who endure have a reward that is much better than anything this world has to offer. That’s because all of earth’s riches can’t begin to compare to even a speck of heaven’s glory. Heaven’s rewards are abundantly great (they exceed our imagination) and forever eternal (they never expire). There is no comparison between heaven’s rewards and this world’s rewards. Isaiah 40 depicts our present life as grass that withers and flowers that fade. Our treasures in this world will not last. And there’s the difference. You are either persecuted now and receive lasting reward in heaven later… or you can enjoy the temporary, worldly stuff now and suffer the wrath of God later. Persecution for the sake of Christ leads to great reward in heaven. Here’s why you can rejoice, those who are persecuted for Jesus now get an eternal reward later. Truly it is a blessing to suffer persecution on account of Jesus’ name because of the great reward that is in store. There’s more to it though.
Because you’re among great company
“for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
