Blessed are the Persecuted

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

To persecute means “to pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death for one’s adherence to a particular religious creed, or mode of worship.” Some synonyms would be oppress, harass, or distress.

If someone is persecuted, it basically means that someone is being punished for something they did or something they believe in. A quick example: a child in school might be teased or bullied for any number of reasons. Maybe they are “overweight” in someone’s eyes, and they are bullied, or persecuted, for the way they look. Maybe they aren’t as smart as other children, and they get “made fun of.” Or possibly they come from a poorer family, and need to use “hand-me-down” school items like backpacks, folders, etc, and because of this they suffer at the hand of others.

Places like North Korea, China, and several other Middle Eastern countries are some of the most perilous places on Earth for Christians. If someone professes belief in Jesus in some of these countries, they can be imprisoned, tortured, placed in forced labor camps, and even killed. I have read stories of entire stadiums that have been filled with people, and forced to watch as pastors are executed. Women and children imprisoned and forced to work in mines. All because they believe in Christ.

The persecution of Christians is nothing new. From the time that Jesus came to the Earth, those who worship the one true God have been persecuted for their beliefs. 

I used this recently but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace, not because they did something evil, but because they wouldn’t bow down and worship an idol. And although they came out unharmed, they still suffered persecution for their belief.

Persecution can even come from inside your own family. It is sad when someone becomes a Christian and your own family turns against you because you are trying to do what is right from the Bible. Before you were a Christian, they didn’t have any problem with the lifestyle you lived, out in the world. But when a person gives their life to Christ and lives for Him, all of a sudden you are a terrible person in their eyes and you suffer persecution from them. 

Look what happened to Abel. Abel gave the best that he had to God in an offering which God was pleased with, while Cain didn’t. Because Abel did what was right, he suffered persecution at the hands of his own brother, as Cain killed him. 

Again, look at the life of Paul. Once a high Pharisee in Judaism who used to persecute Christians himself, Paul converted over to Christianity and became the thing that he used to try to destroy. His transformation was so great that a while after he had been converted, his fellow Jews sought how they could put him to death. Paul(Saul, at that time) wasn’t out hurting others, killing people, or doing otherwise evil things, he was out there trying to save people’s souls from damnation. He preached the truth and he suffered many, many persecutions for the name of Christ. He gave a list of some of the things he had to endure.

“Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-27

What ever persecutions a Christian has to endure, we can have comfort knowing that Jesus will reward us for our faith.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

Persecution is something that you need to accept will happen as Christians. After all, Jesus Himself was persecuted. He was reviled, beaten, and crucified. Why? Because He was a criminal? No, He was persecuted because He showed love. He healed sickness, healed lame men, cast out devils, gave sight to the blind. Any one of these things should have been a clear sign to everyone who witnessed it that this was no ordinary man. He showed the world love, and the world hated Him. 

So it should be no surprise when the world hates you for your faith in Jesus. As Jesus said,

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20

Do not be discouraged or dismayed if you suffer persecution at the hands of others for the name of Christ. Hold fast to your faith. Rejoice, and leap for joy that you have been counted worthy to suffer for His name. People can persecute you, beat you, take away all that you have, even take your life, but they can never take away your faith. 

Blessed are the persecuted.

In Christ,

Andrew