The Doorpost: Facing persecution
By Ray King · Jan 18, 2022
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
It is not unusual for followers of Jesus Christ to face opposition, persecution, even imprisonment and death. What is unusual from a human perspective is how Jesus tells us to respond.
He says being reviled and persecuted because of Him is a blessing. He says we should rejoice and be glad because our reward is great in heaven.
We see this perspective frequently throughout Scripture.
In Acts 5:41, after the apostles had been beaten by the Jewish leaders, they left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.
In Psalm 27:1, David says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
In Philippians 4:4, Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
When we are treated unjustly, rejoice and be glad. Rejoice in the Lord. Our reward is great in heaven.