Matthew 5:10-12, “standing for Jesus in the face of persecution “ [Listen]

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Background of passage – Jesus had already made enemies. Mark records an event that probably took place before “the beatitudes” – Mark 3:1-6 (Jesus heals a paralytic on the Sabbath) – Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Two types of Persecution mentioned here:

Persecution simply for standing for the things of God (verse 10)

Persecution when we identify with Jesus (verse 11) – there is current massive global persecution for those who live for Jesus.

The reality of our national environment is moving toward darkness rather than light – persecution is coming.

There will be persecution when we stand for the things of God – the world cannot assimilate a person like the one in verses 3-9 (detail). They will struggle with the atheist and religious alike:

Example of this from Luke

Luke 16:13-15 – “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

Life devoted to righteousness or godliness will be persecuted or reviled or spoken against. (John Piper)

• If you cherish chastity, your life will be an attack on people’s love for free sex.
• If you embrace temperance, your life will be a statement against the love of alcohol.
• If you pursue self-control, your life will indict excess eating.
• If you live simply and happily, you will show the folly of luxury.
• If you walk humbly with your God, you will expose the evil of pride.
• If you are punctual and thorough in your dealings, you will lay open the inferiority of laziness and negligence.
• If you speak with compassion, you will throw callousness into sharp relief.
• If you are earnest, you will make the flippant look flippant instead of clever.
• And if you are spiritually minded, you will expose the worldly-mindedness of those around you.

Those who follow Jesus will have a difficult time escaping some measure of persecution:

2 Timothy 3:12 – …everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

There will be persecution when we identify with Jesus

1 Peter 4:12-14 – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

John 15:18-22 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. … If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. …They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. (the glory of Jesus / the purpose of his coming points out the NEED for Jesus – sin)

Matthew 19:29-30 – And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Philippians 1:29 – …for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

Thoughts:

While we should live lives that are holy and we should hold Jesus high, these lives must be lived following the example of Jesus. We are called to represent Jesus well rather than stupidly – that insults him.

For those who follow Jesus – for those whose lives are home to the Holy Spirit, persecution will further reinforce the ugly disposition of this world and God will prove himself to us as our comfort and strength.

As we live lives that are committed to the heart of Jesus, many will hate us. As the Holy Spirit works in the lives of others, however, they will see the salvation they are looking for. So, persecution serves many purposes.

Do we persecute those who don’t follow a biblical line of thinking?

The stronger our hold on the things of this world, the more difficult it will be to stand during persecution (money).

Matt 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Are we living lives that actually proclaim Jesus? Brothers & sisters, we must help each other give everything we are and everything we have to Jesus. This life is short and glory is approaching quickly.