Key Verse: “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(Matthew 5:11-12 CSB)
Have you ever encountered a situation in which people treated you in a negative way because you identify as a follower of Jesus? Perhaps they mocked or ridiculed you. Perhaps you missed out on or were excluded from something. Or maybe it was simply a cutting word in your direction.
One of the unfortunate traps that people can fall into when they begin to follow Jesus is thinking that, because of their newfound faith in Him, all of their problems will be solved and life will get easier. But in reality, life doesn’t get easier. It often gets a whole lot harder.
The Scriptures instead instruct us to expect a certain level of hardship and persecution because of our faith in Jesus. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the fact that, “all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Persecution isn’t the exception. It’s normal. It’s industry standard for those who are part of the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus knew first hand what this was like. As He was hanging on the cross during His crucifixion, people passed by him shaking their heads and yelling insults at him. The chief priests and religious leaders also mocked him. “Even those who were crucified with him taunted him” (Mark 15:32). Everyone was in on the persecution directed at Jesus.
Prior to this happening, Jesus told His followers, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Just a few verses later, He added, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (v.20). Clearly, persecution is to be expected.
But it’s not all bad news. In fact, there is a whole lot of good news for us as well in this. In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus tells us that there is blessing to be found in facing persecution for the sake of Christ. When people persecute, insult, or utter all kinds of evil things against us because we identify with Christ, there’s no need to be upset or to take it personally. It’s actually good and a reason for rejoicing.
We are blessed because we get the privilege of following in the footsteps of Jesus and of sharing in His suffering. But Jesus also said that there is a reward waiting for us in heaven. God sees and hears all that we will have to go through and promises to one day reward us for our faithfulness to Him.
If you are experiencing some hardship or pushback right now because of your decision to stand for Jesus, take heart and rejoice. Great is your reward in heaven. Don’t lose your focus on what is to come for those who endure to the end. The reward will no doubt be worth it!
Prayer: Jesus, you joyfully endured the cross in order to make the only way for me back to God. Thank you for your willingness to suffer. Whenever I face hardship because of my decision to follow you, help me to do so joyfully. I know that my reward will one day be seeing you face to face in heaven. Until that day, help me to stand firm with joy and humility. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
