Before I started meditating on these words, I was thinking this would be a simple, straightforward message, but it became more and more complicated as I went along. I’ll share some of those things with you this afternoon, while trying to keep the confusion to a minimum and our time to a reasonable length.
Let’s start with the SUBJECTS of the blessing – the PERSECUTED.
I suppose that one of the many ways to look at these beatitudes is that they are simply a collection of disconnected thoughts which the Lord has grouped together to describe the character of the Christian. The opposite opinion to that is that each one relates directly to the others – and that is my opinion. Even so, it might be argued that persecution doesn’t link very well to peace-making. But actually, when you stop and think about it, they relate quite easily. Picture two people fighting, and someone steps between them, trying to created a truce or peace. How often has the peace-maker either been accidentally struck, or perhaps hit on purpose? When two people hate each other enough, or are angry enough to fight, they might assume that anyone stepping between them is on the other person’s side. Peacemakers are often victims in someone else’s war. Not every attempt at reconciliation succeeds.
And as I suggested last week, we are to be peacemakers because we have been reconciled to God, through the blood of the cross. Because we have been reconciled, we should know what a joy that it is. Christ is the greatest of all peacemakers – and yet He is still among the most hated of all people. And then there is God the Father, hated by atheist, hedonist, Hindu, Muslim, and false Christian alike. No, it isn’t surprising that on the heals of “blessed are the peacemakers,” is “blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake.”
And what is it to be persecuted? Believe it or not, that is an interesting word in the Greek. It means “to make to run or flee, put to flight, to drive away.” It means – “In any way whatever to harass, to trouble, to molest; to mistreat.” And revile speaks of “reproach, to upbraid,” or “to cast something in someone’s teeth.” To revile involves lying about someone or to accuse someone of lying to slander. But it suggests, not a back-stabbing or back-biting, but rather a face-to-face confrontation. It suggests something like spitting in someone’s eye.
Now, it’s important, but thoroughly obvious, that we talk about the right kind of persecuted people. When the Jehovah’s Witness goes up the street and gets doors slammed, yelled at, spit upon and dog-bit, he rejoices at the persecution he receives – but it is not for righteousness’ or Christ’s sake. He may call himself one of Jehovah’s Witness, but he is actually one Satan’s salesmen. Similarly, even the best of Christians might consider themselves martyrs and persecuted, but it might not be for righteousness’ sake. As I was re-reading these verses, I was struck with something that I missed a few weeks ago. The sixth beatitude says, “Blessed are the pure in HEART.” It doesn’t say, “blessed are the pure in doctrine,” even though that may be a true statement. How many Christians, defending pure doctrine, become obnoxious, combative and antagonistic? How many saints, like Peter draw their swords and cut off people’s ears, at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons? How many Christians are so proud of their purity that they actually draw out the wrath of the unbeliever – not because of righteousness, but because of their own arrogance? The Lord Jesus’ blessing was pronounced upon saints who are persecuted specifically for righteousness and for Christ’s sake, not for the misuse of the privileges that Christ has given them. II Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffering persecution.” And here the Lord says, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” and “blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you….for my sake.”
As I was thinking and reading, I was struck with something else that I had never considered before. Remember that I have said that these are supposed to be the characteristics of the true saint of God. May I go on to say, that this is the way that it is intended to be? Can I properly say that we are supposed to be persecuted? Do I have any authority to say that this is supposed to be one of the marks of a true saint of God? The poor in spirit those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the pure in heart will eventually all be reviled and persecuted. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!” “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Are we the Christians that Christ meant us to be if we are not persecuted for righteousness’s sake? Notice a little word in verse 11 – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile your and persecute you.” The Lord doesn’t say, “IF men shall revile you;” He says “when.”
Think back upon what you know about the life and ministry of Jeremiah. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” What was done to Daniel and his three friends? Could the fire and lion’s den be called “persecution?” Dozens of Old Testament prophets, even way back into history were hated and abused for their stand upon the word of God. In most cases it was not because of their obnoxious attitude in defense of the glory of the Lord – in fact, that is a ridiculous combination of words – “obnoxious attitude in defense of God’s glory.” For what reason was Stephen killed? Christ’s name and righteousness. Oh, and notice his kind, godly attitude in the midst of his suffering. “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light,” and Christ has told us all – “YE are the light of the world.” He also 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.” And once again, I remind you of the persecution of Christ Jesus Himself throughout His life. And we are supposed to live as the Saviour lived.
What should be OUR RESPONSE to this persecution?
On another occasion, in Luke 6:23, our Lord makes an almost ridiculous statement. “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, AND LEAP FOR JOY: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” “Leap” is the same word which Luke used in Luke 1:41 – “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” Rejoice – exult – in the fact that you have been chosen to suffer for Jesus’ sake. As the Apostles left their jail in Acts 5, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” I don’t know what to say to explain, or augment, what Jesus says here, except to qualify it by adding “rejoice in the Lord.” Make sure that your rejoicing in this suffering isn’t fleshly, proud, or self-righteous. In fact, it might be best to put your rejoicing on hold at least until you get to the quietness of your bedroom or prayer closet.
The right kind of joy under this persecution, is a part of the genuineness of our meekness, purity and spiritual poverty. Should I try once again to differentiate between this joy and common happiness? As I’ve already suggested this joy carries with it no hint of pride – but fleshly happiness often does.
How should we respond? – with patient endurance. I Peter 2:19 – “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.” II Timothy 4:5 – “Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
How should we respond to persecution? How about with thankfulness. No matter what we endure in this world, it could not be a hundredth of what Christ has suffered for us. And if He should call upon us to suffer for His sake, or in His name, then we should be like the Apostles, thank the Lord that we should be counted worthy to suffer for Him.
How should we respond to persecution? In prayerful faith, trusting the Lord to take care us today and tomorrow. Like David did to that of Saul – “The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.”
Now, what can I possibly say about the BLESSEDNESS of this suffering?
Actually, I don’t have to say anything at all. If the Lord should say, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake,” then what I have to say about the matter doesn’t really matter a whole lot. I might try to explain why that is blessed or what that spiritual joy might entail, but I’m not sure that I can. As I said two months ago, I’m not sure that I’m worthy to address you on the matter of these beatitudes.
But in my limitations, let me point out the obvious, along with some other things which the Lord has given me. I have said several times that there are eight of these beatitudes. But if you think about it, this last one is doubled. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: And blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you.” Does this doubling mean that there is special significance and joy in suffering for Jesus’ Name?
Ask yourself this: Does the persecuted saints’ blessedness have anything to do with their reward in Heaven? Or is this reward secondary and additional to the blessedness? If my opinion is worth anything, I think that it is extra and not the blessing itself. Are there “rewards” for purity of heart and spiritual poverty? Meekness and spiritual hunger? In some ways we might argue that there are rewards, but perhaps not really. Salvation itself might be the “reward” for spiritual poverty and purity, but that just doesn’t seem right. Are there special rewards for peacemaking? Perhaps so. Will the joys of Heaven be enhanced for those who have been peacemakers? Doesn’t the next chapter tell us that we can lay up treasures in Heaven by our service of Christ on earth? Doesn’t the Lord say something about those who loose fathers and mothers for Christ – they will have friends among the glorified saints far more important to them than earthly fathers and mothers? Why does the Lord collect our tears in His bottle, if He doesn’t intend to acknowledge those tears some day?
Obviously, despite the lunacy of the heretics, the rewards given to the suffering are not a part of their salvation. The man has been deceived who seeks for persecution, like some Catholic martyr, thinking that through his own blood he is atoning for his sin and unlocking the gates of Heaven. And, even when the suffering saint is rewarded in Heaven, that will still be a reward of grace, not debt. The Lord doesn’t owe us anything, and no matter what we might do or suffer here, that will never change. If He chooses to honour us for our suffering, that is a part of grace, even if in our earthly language we use the word “reward.”
And with that let me try to wrap-up things. These beatitudes are characteristics of the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. They are traits that each of us bear to some degree, with growing purity and intensity, until that day we are translated from here to the Lord’s presence. Obviously, we should be aware of them, and in one sense we should look for them in our lives. But then in another sense, things like this persecution, are not to be sought, or to be forced by our own demeanor. If we are as pure, as meek, as peaceful, and spiritually hungry as we should be – some degree of this persecution will automatically be ours. But if we urge and drive wicked men to attack us, then there is something fraudulent with our faith.