"Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted"

My Grandmother taught 5th grade Bible Class for many years, so naturally I was excited as the time approached for me to be a student in her class and was also excited to obtain the coveted postcard with 5 stars, each star representing memorization of the following:
●    Names of the Apostles
●    Books of the New Testament
●    Books of the Old Testament
●    Psalm 23
●    The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes have continued to encourage me from that early age until now.  They are found in Matthew 5:3-12 and begin Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7.  As we focus on this year's theme of “Let Us Press on to Maturity,” growing in the attributes of the Beatitudes show increased maturity of our personal character and help identify ourselves as followers of Christ.

The final Beatitude and the subject of this article is found in Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Notice that Jesus states in vs. 11, “when,” not “if” persecution will come to his followers because of him.  Persecution is guaranteed for a true follower of Christ. But it is not our nature to aspire to press on to maturity when being persecuted. Our natural tendency is to go on the defensive and fight back when we are persecuted, or to at least get even. 

Here are some examples of the many warnings in scripture of our certain persecution as a follower of Christ: 
●    Jesus states in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
●    Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted.”
●    Peter states in 1 Peter 4:16, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

And some examples of those who were persecuted and their response that we can learn from:
●    The Apostles, early in their ministry, were imprisoned, flogged and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus. But they left rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering for Christ, and, of course, they continued teaching and proclaiming the Good News (Acts 5).
●    Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, was stoned to death by members of the Sanhedrin after stating that they had betrayed and murdered the Messiah, and proclaiming that he could see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.  As he was being stoned, he asked the Lord to not hold their sin against them (Acts 6-7).
●    The Apostle Paul was imprisoned, flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, in danger from bandits, fellow Jews, Gentiles and false believers, in hunger and thirst, and cold and naked.  And most intriguing to me: after enduring all of the above, was the daily pressure he faced regarding his concern for the churches (2 Corinthians 11). Christ's church was always at the forefront of his mind, regardless of his persecutions. 

And some examples of encouragement for us to press on to maturity when being persecuted:
●    Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
●    James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
●    Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:28: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
●    And remember Jesus' encouragement from vs. 12 of our opening text to rejoice and be glad when persecuted because great is our reward in heaven. 

Jesus’ promise of this great reward gives us encouragement to endure anything our adversaries throw at us. 

Are you being persecuted because of righteousness? If not, this may be a call to mature in our faith, courage to speak of our faith, study and grow in knowledge of scripture, service to others and teaching others. 

"Let Us Press on to Maturity," accepting persecution with all joy knowing that it is because of our righteousness and faith in Jesus Christ.
 

View Full Content Source:
https://www.southsideonline.org/articles/2026/04/19/blessed-are-those-who-are-persecuted