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Persecution seems like such a heavy word. If we are students of history, it conjures up images of Christians fed to the lions in the Roman arena. Or of Christians hung on poles and lit on fire by a crazed emperor to light his garden. If we are paying attention to the news today, the word might make us think of beatings and imprisonment in certain countries. Or, we might think of governmental agencies and some interest groups in the United States suing Christians who refuse to violate their beliefs.

But we should expand our understanding. The Beatitude in Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(NIV) But the following verse expands it to say, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”(NIV) So, what is the insult he referred to?

George Bernard Shaw once insulted Winston Churchill by sending this message: “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend… if you have one.” Churchill replied, “Cannot possibly attend first night; will attend second, if there is one.”* Is this the type of insult Jesus was speaking about? No. The key is the words “because of me.” The insult, persecution or false accusation was all because of Jesus. If we are insulted or falsely accused because we follow Jesus, great is our reward in heaven!

*Funny Insults, https://funny-insults.com/famous-insults/

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The last Beatitude in Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(NIV) Did you notice this was the promise in the first Beatitude as well? The poor in spirit also have the kingdom of heaven. So, what is it?

The phrase is used in different ways. John the Baptist’s message, according to Matthew 3:2 was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Jesus is the king. The phrase refers to his rule as the Christ. Sometimes the phrase refers to the people following Jesus here on earth. Sometimes it is used of the eternal kingdom following the final judgement.

 I find it interesting that this Beatitude is immediately expanded and explained. Verses 11 and 12 say, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”(NIV)

Let’s compare verse 10 with verse 12. In verse 10, the phrase “the kingdom of heaven” parallels this phrase in verse 12: “great is your reward in heaven.” So, in this instance, “the kingdom of heaven,” in fact, refers to heaven. But it is not just being in heaven, but having a great reward waiting there! That’s a blessing!

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Were you ever picked on in school? I was. I’m sure you were too. Practically everyone is picked on at some point. I was picked on because I was the new kid. We’d moved to town and the others wanted to see how tough I was. So, they harassed me. Sometimes people are picked on because they are different. They may look different, act different or speak with an accent. For whatever reason, they don’t fit in with the rest.

Then there are times others are jealous. Or they’ve been shown up by someone, so they’re harrassed. I once witnessed a violent assault on a high school freshman because he out performed a senior during football practice. So, the senior, with help from a friend, attacked him after practice.

Yes, people get picked on for different reasons. But, have you been harassed or attacked because you did the right thing? Jesus talked about this in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(NIV) Notice he’s not talking about people persecuted for being different or the new kid in school. He’s talking about persecution “because of righteousness.” They are living the right way, doing the right thing and pleasing God. And because of that they are attacked. People who are persecuted for righteousness have the blessing. They can claim the kingdom of heaven.

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This week we are focused on the Beatitude in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(NIV) The word persecuted comes from the word meaning “to chase or pursue.” It also could mean “to harass.” Throughout history, Christians have been persecuted. The first instances are recorded in the New Testament. The book of Acts tells of the execution of a Christian man named Stephen. It also tells of Saul, who pursued and arrested Christians. Saul later became a Christian. He was then persecuted for his faith in Jesus!

Persecution continues today. The news media usually doesn’t cover it. The media is concerned about Afghanistan today. They worry about the Taliban reasserting harsh limitations on women. Also at risk are Christians! Christians are often beaten, robbed — even killed in several countries. In August, three Christians in India were visiting a man who’d lost his wife, adult son and daughter-in-law to Covid. The man wanted the Christians there. They were praying and reading scripture when a group broke in and beat the Christians severely. Then the authorities came and arrested the Christians and imprisoned them.*

Jesus says that such people are blessed! If you ask me, being arrested and beaten doesn’t sound like a blessing! Well, it isn’t. The blessing is not the persecution. The blessing is being a part of the kingdom of heaven.

*Anugrah Kumar, “Pastors beaten, jailed after comforting grieving Hindu widower in India: report,” The Christian Post, https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastors-beaten-jailed-for-comforting-grieving-widower-in-india.html.

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Do you remember playing “freeze tag” as a child? After cries of “not it,” someone began chasing everyone else. If he or she touched you, you had to stand frozen in place. Such chasing about was a lot of fun!

But there was another type of chasing that was not fun at all. Did your playground have a bully? Bullies chase others too. But it is not about fun. It is about power. The bully picks a victim. He then chases the victim, or demands lunch money, or does something else unkind. A bully chasing a victim actually helps us understand the last Beatitude.

That’s right, Jesus said in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(NIV) The word persecuted comes from the word meaning “to chase or pursue.” Picture a bully going after a victim.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Jack Phillips. He bakes specialty cakes. In 2012 a customer asked him to bake a cake to honor something against his religious beliefs. He refused. He received threatening phone calls. Then a governmental agency took him to court. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in Jack’s favor. Less than a month later, the same agency sued Jack again.* Does it remind you of a bully going after a victim?

We see from this that the last Beatitude is relevant to life today! Blessed are those persecuted because of righteousness.

*”Jack Is Back in Court, Again. Enough Is Enough.” Alliance Defending Freedom, https://adflegal.org/enough-is-enough.

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