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As I write this final installment I want to thank all who took the time to read. I pray that whether you are a Christian or not you found some insight, enlightenment or discovered a truth that will bless your life.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”
There are those hat think when the dog messes on the floor they are being persecuted or the check engine light comes on the car. When it reality you forgot to let the dog out or do the maintenance on your car. Persecution comes in many forms there are those that are imprisoned and even put to death and then there are those that are shunned, reviled or insulted all are forms of persecution. It is not the severity of persecution that Jesus is referring here but the fact that it will come. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and walk in His path, in His ways you will meet opposition. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but O chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15: 18-19)
If we recall the word “Blessed” means “Happy”; “Happy are those that are persecuted” that is another dichotomy Jesus presents to us, in this series. How does one obtain happiness while being persecuted? I think I am right when I say that anytime I have been insulted, ridiculed or had an evil thing done against me it was not an occasion for rejoicing. As stated before whenever you stand in opposition to the norm or what is acceptable by society as a whole you will be persecuted to some extent. If I really consider the reason I am being persecuted than rejoicing is the only option. I am being persecuted because I am living a life that reflects the life of Christ. I am being persecuted because I am doing the will of the Father. What a joyous occasion, if I am a walking as Christ would walk and becoming the person God wants me to be the hope that is seen in the end far exceeds the problems of the present. After being beaten the apostles in Acts “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame in His name” James points out in 1:2 “My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials” True happiness is a path that goes through persecution.
Romans 12 says ...”do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (metamorphos) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” This sentiments echoed in many verse throughout Scripture not to walk as the gentiles walk, not to walk as the world walks, not to love the world but to love God. Jesus did just that in His walk and was hated because of it. He stood in direct opposition to the world and its ways. In Matthew 12:30 Jesus puts in very bluntly and honestly “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters aboard” To be persecuted because you are for Christ is nothing but gain. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Matthew 17:26)
To live a life that reflects the Beatitudes is to live a life that reflects Christ. “Happy are the poor in spirit” Jesus humbled himself leaving the right hand of God to live among us, to leave the throne of heaven to come to earth as a child, raised by humble parents and persecuted by His people. “Happy are those who mourn” He cried for the sin of the world and was comforted by the Father. “Happy are the meek” Jesus humbled Himself and did the will of the Father unto death. Yet He stood up for what was right time and time again. “Happy are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness” Jesus sought righteousness in all that He did. He sought our God’s word and lived a life as a direct reflection of that word. “Happy are the merciful” Jesus’ mercy knew no bounds . “Happy are the pure of heart” Jesus’ outward actions were a direct reflection of His inward love and purity. “Happy are the peacemakers” Jesus came so that we might obtain peace with God, and once again reconcile our relationship with our Father. “Happy are the persecuted” Jesus stood in direct opposition to the world and its ways rejoicing in the hope that was to come. To follow the Beatitudes is to follow the road to true happiness in Christ, it is not a road easily traveled but not traveled alone and with eyes fixed on Christ a road that can be traveled with a joyous heart.
H
