Have you ever had someone say something about you that simply wasn’t true?

• Maybe someone misunderstood something you said.
• Maybe a rumor spread that damaged your reputation.
• Maybe someone criticized or mocked you unfairly.

It can be incredibly frustrating when people say false things about us. We want to defend ourselves. We want to set the record straight.

In this final Beatitude, Jesus speaks about a very specific kind of situation. He says we are blessed when people insult us, persecute us, and say false things about us because of Him.

Throughout history, this has happened to Christians again and again.

Early Christians were accused of terrible crimes they never committed. Some people claimed they were disloyal to the Roman Empire. Others spread rumors that Christians practiced strange and immoral rituals. These false accusations often led to persecution and even death.

Something similar still happens today.

• Christians are sometimes mocked for believing the Bible.
• Others assume Christians are hateful simply because they hold to what Scripture teaches.
• Sometimes people spread false ideas about what Christians believe or what the church teaches.

Jesus tells us not to be surprised when this happens. If the world misunderstood Him, it will often misunderstand His followers as well.

But Jesus also says something unexpected. He tells His disciples to rejoice.

How can anyone rejoice in the middle of insults or false accusations?

Jesus points us to two important truths.

You’re In Good Company
First, when we suffer because we belong to Christ, we are walking the same path the prophets walked before us. God’s messengers throughout history were often rejected and mistreated because they spoke the truth.

A Great Reward
Second, Jesus reminds us that our reward is not found in the approval of this world.

Our reward is in heaven.

The world may misunderstand us or hate us. People may say things about us that are unfair or untrue. But none of those things can take away what God has given us in Christ.

Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven.
Through Jesus, we belong to God’s kingdom.
Through Jesus, we have an eternal inheritance waiting for us.

And in the end, Jesus has the victory. In fact, that’s the main point of the entire book of Revelation. When you suffer, don’t lose hope. Jesus is still in control and Jesus (and thus you) have the victory. When we remember that promise, the insults of this world lose much of their power.

They are temporary.

God’s kingdom is forever.

That is why Jesus calls this a blessing.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

When we are misunderstood or criticized because we follow Your Son, strengthen our faith. Help us to remain faithful to Christ and to remember the reward You have promised to those who belong to Him. Give us hope and peace on all circumstances and give us courage, patience, and joy as we live as Your people in this world.

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.