Even So, Rejoice

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10–12

AS WE BEGIN

Celio Secondo Curione was arrested in 1523 for discussing Bible doctrine. An Italian humanist whose heart was ignited by the writings of Martin Luther, Curione was summarily confined to a convent, where church authorities urged him to consider the heretical nature of his ideas. Instead, he continued to read the Reformers, sharing their message of unmerited grace with anyone who would listen.

In fact, he became so animated by Scripture that he eventually removed the bones from a saint’s reliquary and replaced them with a copy of the Bible and the following provocative caption: “This is the Ark of the Covenant where we find the true oracles of God; these are the true relics.”

This story illustrates the heartbeat of Jesus’ final Beatitudes. Captured by the saving power of the gospel, Curione joyfully endured persecution and reprisal, recognizing the reality of Christ’s kingdom as more compelling than personal safety or approval.

DEVOTIONAL INSIGHT

While the biblical promise of peace is the heritage of every believer in Jesus, so too is the requirement that we, like him, carry a cross.

OBSERVATIONS

The eighth and ninth beatitudes identify two reasons why persecution is considered blessed: when it is for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10), or when one is reviled and insulted for the name of Jesus (Matthew 5:11). The latter is a reiteration and explication of the former, for our public witness to righteousness consists in our identification with Jesus.

In this cultural moment, tragically, there are plenty of ways that Christians bring suffering upon themselves. Those who spout hate or unbounded conspiracy theories invite derision or canceling on social media. Those who defend ugly or sinful behavior of their preferred politicians (on either side of the aisle) are aptly called hypocrites. Those who excuse breaches of integrity by saying the other side does worse are ridiculed as craven practitioners of “whataboutism.”

However, we must not deny that Christians today, even in the supposedly tolerant West, are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Those who refuse to participate in the active affirmation of unbiblical lifestyles current in business and the academy can find themselves ostracized, dragged into court, or unemployed. Outside the West, Christians can face all kinds of dangers for refusing to deny their faith—or simply for the crime of identifying as followers of Christ.

This “thicker” account of the gospel recognizes that to be “in Christ” defines everything about us—every ambition, activity, purpose, and relationship—an identity and calling that will inevitably offend the sensibilities of the world.

APPLICATION

How is persecution good news, even to the point of producing joy? Simply put, it is the privilege of living for Christ’s sake. It is the joy of now embracing by faith the ultimate reward that is promised in the kingdom of heaven. Disciples of Christ, like Abraham, look forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). Sadly, though, it’s a joy that remains foreign to the world, which seeks another kingdom.

Are you living a life that elicits questions or wonder from your neighbors? Persecution? How much joy and gladness are yours as you live for Christ? Are you willing to suffer to experience this peculiar joy of the kingdom? What might be keeping you from wholehearted commitment to the Lord?

To read more on the Beatitudes check out The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes from Crossway, here: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-upside-down-kingdom-tpb/