Blessed—Happy—Are Those Persecuted

“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. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12, NKJV).

Jesus warned His disciples that hard times were ahead for them because of their loyalty to Him. We learn from church history that all but one of the twelve apostles died a martyr’s death. Think of the areas in which early Christians had to make hard choices in order to follow Jesus. All Roman citizens were required to burn incense to the Caesar and pledge allegiance once a year, stating, “Caesar is god.” Christians refused to deny Christ and take this pledge to Caesar. They then were thrown to the lions, or made sport of in the great ampitheaters of the empire. Often, because work necessitated denial of Christ, like a tailor or a weaver would have to make garments for priests who administered idol worship, or a herdsman provided lambs for sacrifice to idols, they would be persecuted, lose their jobs, or even be killed if they refused to produce the work. John, when he wrote The Revelation, was suffering persecution as an exile on the Island of Patmos where, at the advanced age of 90, he had to work in the mines. He wrote the Revelation at night after a hard day’s work, and hid the papyrus in the cave where he lived. A good example of how blessed and happy the early Christians felt when they were persecuted was in the death of Polycarp. He was given the choice of sacrificing to Caesar or his death. His reply is classic: “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” And his prayer as he was tied to the stake to be burned was: “O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Thy well-beloved and ever-blessed Son, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee…I thank Thee that Thou hast graciously thought me worthy of this day and of this hour.” (William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible: Matthew. Westminster, 1956, p. 111).

Persecution occurs today in lands where some of our missionaries labor. And the persecution will no doubt grow worse as we see the “end times” draw nearer. Even in the work place and in society, Christians who are true to the principles of living the way Jesus taught us are often ridiculed and mocked. Are we willing to stand up for Jesus and His way regardless of others’ opinions? Christ still needs faithful witnesses who are prepared to die without denying Him, if necessary, and certainly those who are willing to stand up and live for Him. The struggle still exists, because it is a struggle between good and evil. Jesus’ way of truth and righteousness brings its own blessedness. Let us, therefore, stand faithfully.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, September 20, 2010