The Nine Beatitudes of JesusSample

Day 10 – Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake

I was once chatting with someone at a workplace, and this fellow gave a testimony of how a worker at his former workplace never got angry no matter what people did to him. And because of his calm temperament, my friend told me that the boss wanted him around not because of something special he does at the workplace but because of his character.

Although my colleague never said the person’s name or faith background, I believed this got to be a Christian who finds joy in God’s presence, so much so that nobody’s anger was enough to influence his countenance or actions wrongly. What amazes me is that even though my colleague has left that workplace, he still remembers this fellow. Of a truth, people may forget what you gave them, but certainly not how you treated them.

Now Jesus says blessed are you, dear Christian, when people revile (insult) and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for His name's sake. Then, in Matthew 5:12 (NKJV), He adds,

“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Every persecution you bear for the sake of your faith in Jesus will attract a heavenly reward. But Jesus doesn’t want you to be surprised when the tribulations come. Even Old Testament prophets were hated and Jesus Himself was also persecuted. Nevertheless, none of them gave up on their divine mandates. Let me encourage you today. For the sake of God’s kingdom, bear the afflictions that come. They’re indications that you’re on the right track of destiny.

The Lord be with you. Shalom!