Have you ever been treated badly for doing the right thing?

• Maybe you told the truth when it would have been easier to stay quiet.
• Maybe you stood up for someone who was being mistreated.
• Maybe you tried to live according to your Christian faith and someone mocked you for it.

Doing the right thing does not always make life easier. Sometimes it makes life harder.

Jesus tells us that those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed. That can sound strange at first. After all, persecution is painful. It may involve ridicule, rejection, loss, or even physical harm.

Why would Jesus call that a blessing?

Part of the answer is that persecution reveals something important. It reveals that we belong to Christ. We should be clear here, that Jesus isn’t saying when anyone is persecuted it means they belong to Him. It’s when Christians are persecuted for their faith.

Jesus never promised that following Him would make us popular or comfortable in the eyes of the world. In fact, He warned His disciples that the opposite would often be true.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

The values of God’s kingdom are very different from the values of the world. The world often celebrates pride, power, selfish ambition, and revenge. But Jesus calls His people to humility, mercy, forgiveness, and love for enemies. When Christians live according to these values, they stand out. Sometimes that difference brings criticism or opposition.

Throughout history many Christians have experienced persecution for their faith.

Some have been mocked or excluded. Others have lost their jobs or their homes. Some have even been imprisoned or killed because they refused to deny Christ.

Yet Jesus says they are blessed. Why?

Because their suffering connects them to Him.

Jesus Himself was rejected, mocked, beaten, and crucified. The world opposed Him because He spoke the truth and revealed the darkness of human sin. When Christians suffer for righteousness, they are walking the same road their Savior walked. It is a continuation of the suffering of Christ which is why, after Jesus ascension, when Saul was persecuting the church, Jesus appeared to Saul and asked,

“Why are you persecuting Me?”

When the church, otherwise known as Christians, is persecuted. It is Jesus who is being persecuted. The church is the body of Christ.

And Jesus gives them a promise.

“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

That promise echoes the very first Beatitude:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The kingdom of heaven belongs to us.

It used to be believed by many, that if a person was persecuted or experienced hardship, God had either left them or was against them. This flips that idea on its head. If you are persecuted for following Jesus, God is most certainly with you and for you. You are very much a citizen of God’s Kingdom.

And when Jesus returns, every injustice will be set right. Those who suffered for righteousness will stand in the joy of God’s eternal kingdom.

What a wonderful promise that is.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Give us courage to follow Your Son even when it is difficult. When we face opposition or hardship for doing what is right, remind us that we belong to Your kingdom. Strengthen our faith and help us to remain faithful to Christ in all circumstances, knowing Jesus’ has the final word.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.