March 2, 2016
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Questions for Reflection:
We’re going to study the final beatitude separate from the group that we looked at yesterday. The primary reason for this is that the final beatitude gets a longer treatment from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. What does Jesus tell people will lead to blessing?
One commentator writes, “In this instruction Jesus prepares his disciples for the time when persecution will indeed come to them, offering them hope that no matter how hard the circumstances, they are truly heirs of the kingdom.” We read these words in our western culture and we don’t truly realize the impact of what he is saying. Yet for Jesus’ first disciples and for many followers of Jesus around the world today, persecution would be/is a reality. Jesus’ words should serve as a comfort for them and a reminder to us. We should be praying for them in the midst of the persecution. How can we pray? David Platt offers a few suggestions in the video below.
One quick note: Jesus promises that we are blessed when we are persecuted because of righteousness, not just when we face persecution. Too often as the church and followers of Jesus we have not acted with wisdom or grace and in doing so, we have brought trials and difficulties upon ourselves. We should follow the example of our master, who was not weak nor did he shy away from truth, but he did so in a way that communicated value to those he met. May we be that type of disciple.
Spend time today praying for the Church. Pray for those who are facing persecution today for their faith. Ask that God would give them boldness and courage even in the midst of difficulties.