The Beatitudes open by proclaiming a surprising blessing: those who are poor in spirit, the downtrodden and oppressed, are declared fortunate because they belong to the kingdom of God.
This theme of finding blessings in unexpected places continues to the very end, where Jesus assures those who are persecuted for righteousness sake that they too are part of God’s kingdom.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5.10-12).
The pursuit of righteousness can arouse opposition from those whose interests or self-respect may be threatened by it.
When we live as subjects of the kingdom of God, we will be set against the rest of society which does not share its values. The result may be persecution.
Peter had a lengthy treatment of persecution in his first letter.
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?
But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated,
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you,
Yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil (1 Peter 3.13-17).
First of all, Peter counsels his readers to do good. Most of the time, if we do what is right, we will not suffer. However, there are times when doing the right thing will cause people to be persecuted.
Peter’s counsel is not to be afraid of persecution or to be intimidated by its possibility. Rather, we are to set Christ as the preeminent Lord of our lives. That’s what the word “sanctify” means.
Persecution provides an opportunity for us to tell people about the work of God in our lives. So, Peter tells us that we are to share what God has done for us.
Similar to what the blind man said when he was being persecuted by the authorities, he stated, “This is what I know: once I was blind, but now I see.”
Faith Amidst Adversity
I recently read about a Chinese pastor who had been in prison for six years for what I would consider a minor infraction. He was finally released.
I was struck by his story and it made me think about the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
The pastor was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel in a country where it is not permitted. Despite the challenges he faced, he continued to spread the message of hope and love to his fellow inmates.
His story is a testament to the power of faith and a deep commitment to his Savior. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the Light that will guide us through.
The story of the Chinese pastor teaches us that no matter the obstacles we face, the Lord will provide us with the strength and courage to overcome them.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It’s on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 