An aspect of the Beatitudes is found in the start and finish of these declarations, like a pair of book ends. They start and finish with the same promise, that the seeker of Jesus will possess the kingdom of heaven.
It is interesting that Jesus links the membership of the kingdom of heaven primarily with poverty of spirit and persecution. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). For many years Christians in the West have not experienced too much persecution. This is actually an unnatural situation. Maybe this why there are so many “unnatural” Christians who expect everything on a plate, and desire blessings that are most related to pandering the flesh than being conformed to the image of Jesus. Persecution is on the rise in the West. This Beatitude has a vital message to teach us about how we become true possessors of the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteous, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10).
This last Beatitude clearly encapsulates the thought that there is a final rest and reward from the struggles and sufferings of life; and more importantly from the struggles and sufferings that accompany those who genuinely seek to live righteously under Jesus’ final authority. It is true too that Christian hope of salvation, eternal life and heaven are powerful themes in Scripture and are powerful motivating factors, enabling the Christian to persevere through great difficulties. They can, and are, anchors in our lives as we face the challenges of life.
Jesus had called His disciples to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22) and He was going throughout Galilee teaching, preaching and healing the sick. The demon-possessed were being delivered and the paralyzed healed. Great crowds from all over Galilee, Jerusalem, and the regions across the Jordan were flocking to Him (Matthew 4:23-25). It was a period of popularity and excitement. No doubt the disciples were in the midst of this, enjoying every second of it.
To those who are new in their faith and walk with Jesus, it would seem obvious that everyone should get to know Jesus and see what He can do in their lives if they were to follow Him too! How could anyone resist this love and gentle power? To the new Christian reading this verse and to those who were listening to this message on that day, it is probably fair to assume that they didn’t fully understand what Jesus was saying, but on the surface it would sound wonderful.
When I became a Christian I was convinced that if people would just listen to what God had done for me, and realize what He was willing to do for them, they would fall over themselves to become Christians too! In the “honeymoon” period after I was converted, everything seemed to go right and my prayers were being answered. I was thinking of a life full of blessings and lack of hassle, as long as I kept God close to me.
I discovered that, rather than it becoming easier to live a holy life, I was under increasing spiritual attacks in my thought life. I discovered the increasing strength of temptation as I began to actually resist sin in my life. I discovered that there is a great hostility to the claims of Jesus by many.
Here in the eighth Beatitude Jesus tells us, while on earth, persecution and suffering are also part of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ challenge in this final Beatitude was not solely aimed at being a comfort promise to help His disciples limp through a painful life with the hope of a painless heaven. Rather than focusing on utopian dreams in the distant future, Jesus focused His disciples on the realities of present day spiritual warfare that inevitably accompanies anyone who wants to follow Him. The core comfort that Jesus gives with final Beatitude is that, when the disciples suffer rejection, insults, slander, false accusations and persecution as a result of following Him, they should see this as normal! The apostle Paul wrote, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
When man rejected God and chose to be his own authority and god of his own life and destiny, he chose enmity towards God rather than friendship and service. In the Old Testament the prophets were sent by God, and in the main they were shunned, rejected and persecuted by those who chose to follow after gods and life styles of their own making and inclination.
Paul write, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 2:14 – 17). As Christians, indwelt by the Spirit of Christ and living in vital union with Him, we, life the prophets before us, proclaim through life and word the gospel of love and reconciliation with God.
In this proclamation we come into direct opposition with the kingdom of Satan and all man’s self-made and self-centered kingdom institutions, religions and aspirations. To the majority of this world we are perceived as arrogant, intolerant, and a danger to their beliefs, lifestyles and vested interests. In Jesus Christ we challenge people with the truth that salvation isn’t found in religious duty and good works. In Jesus we confront people with the simple truth that there is more to this world than just a naturalistic and impersonal world where we are our own gods and man is man’s only hope. With our insistence that there is a moral and personal God who created this world and to whom we all have to give account at the end of our lives, it is little wonder that many actively and aggressively oppose us.
The gospel, properly preached and lived, will be the aroma of life to some but the stench of death to another. Deep in our hearts we know this to be true. Many have chosen not to actively proclaim the gospel to their friends, neighbors, work colleagues and others because they know that it will result in rejection and opposition if they do. In some ways it comes down to the question, “How much rejection and direct opposition are we willing to suffer for the sake of reaching those individuals who will be open to receiving the message of peace with God and salvation”? I am certain Jesus had to count the cost in His ministry.
In America, there are definitely forces at word that deliberately want to “de-Christianise” our county and institutions, and as Christians we need to make a stand and be willing to suffer the consequences. However, there are also many genuine people, who may not have any other agenda than to do what they believe to be best for society as a whole, who cannot understand the venom by which their opinions are opposed by Christians. May God give us wisdom to know how we best challenge, debate and oppose the myriad of issues that confront us these days. May we be able to discern motives behind policies and agendas and act accordingly in love and grace.
There is a real balance needed in this whole matter. Although we have a gospel of peace, it is also a gospel of offence (Matthew 15:12). Although we have a gospel of reconciliation it can, and will, cause division (Matthew 10:34 – 39). But although the gospel can be an offence we Christians must not seek to be deliberately offensive. Although the gospel can cause division, we must “make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14). But we must not seek peace at any price. How we need the daily leading of God’s Spirit to live such a balanced life!
When we become a Christian it is important to realize, that not only do we align ourselves with God and submit to His authority, we actually actively rebel against our former master, Satan. This act of “rebellion” rarely goes unchallenged. For many who come from non-Christian homes, family and friends can be the first “battleground” where opposition issues from.
The root of hostility is Satan working on the fears, greed, selfishness, self-righteousness and fickleness found in the hearts. Jesus recognized this spiritual warfare. As Paul wrote years later, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle in not against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10 – 12).
Paul then spells out the weapons of spiritual warfare that we have to wield. The belt of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace; the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation; the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God; and most of all prayer in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:13 – 18).
The inference in this Beatitude is that not all forms of persecution are blessed. Jesus deliberately puts a caveat on the type of persecution He is describing. “Because of righteousness” indicates that there are many forms of persecution happening in the world. Christians are not the only people, religion or minority group that has, or does, suffer persecution and discrimination. Jews, Muslims, atheists, ethnic groups, trade unions, human rights activists, homosexuals, black skins, white skins, red skins and every other hue have all in their time suffered persecution at the hands of others.
Though persecution and difficulties should be avoided if possible, as long as avoidance does not compromise deeper spiritual principles, conscience and convictions on essential matters; they need to be embraced as part of Christian discipleship. In fact, Scripture seems to indicate that a Christian will not have to seek out persecution, persecution will seek out the Christian! At present, it would probably be true to say that in the minds of most Western Christians, persecution or even mild opposition and criticism, is to be avoided at all costs.
Jesus says with conviction and certainty that when persecution comes we are to consider it blessed. At this time it is extremely important that Christians in the West embrace this Beatitude and learn from it. We need to understand the glory of persecution and acknowledge God to be God in our lives through whatever persecution and discrimination comes our way. We choose to live righteously and in union with Him, conforming our lives to His holy will. If we embrace this glorious but difficult Beatitude, we discover there is glory within its pain and challenge.
Suffering and persecution, if accepted as ultimately permitted by God, can be the first step on a ladder to great intimacy with Him. In Romans 5:3 – 5, Paul takes us through the work that suffering and persecution can do within the life of a person who allows suck discipline to train him. He reveals that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; character produces hope; and hope does not disappoint us because the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Also true friendship and love is proved to be true through adversity than ease and comfort. God wants us to be more than just fair-weathered friends. Though very few mature Christians would say, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:35).
Persecution forces us to clarify our priorities and can reveal where our hearts truly are. Persecution also provides an opportunity for faith. It is a great sifter of priorities and attitudes. It would be true to say. That without persecution or hardships, it is very difficult to sort out our true priorities. How many things do we accumulate in our lives that are not essential and in fact hinder us from spiritual growth? What carnal attitudes to people and things do we harbor that never get challenged because we can live a life of relative ease and are able to order our lives and times to avoid facing difficult issues and people?
In His mercy and grace, God permits us to go through difficulties as part of His discipline in our lives (Hebrews 12:3 – 4). His desire is that the carnal is stripped away and our life of faith is strengthened. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
This final Beatitude initially seems so out of place. Seven is the perfect number, and most of us would have thought the first seven Beatitudes were sufficient! However, Jesus in love, inlaid this eighth jewel into the crown of His teaching. He brought perspective and reality to the disciples as He prepared them for their future life with Him. In doing so He revealed the glory and blessings that accompanies a life that embraces this reality. He ensures that His disciples would not fall into the trap of seeking cheap grace and sentimental Christianity. He pointed to the discipleship pathway that is the calling of all believers who seriously desire Jesus to be Lord in their lives. May we all be given the grace in these increasingly difficult times to embrace this Beatitude in a godly way.