Rejoice in Persecution - What?!

July 25, 2010
Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness . . .

David began the discussion by pointing out "These concluding words are disturbing words." Class members recalled stories of persecution, from biblical accounts (Acts 5, Acts 16) to more current episodes where missionaries were buried alive. Class members were aware that we currently face little more than mocking for being Christian.

These verses call us to rejoice when others cause us to suffer. Persecution can be aggressive, including physical pain, imprisonment, or other obvious and intentional bad treatment. Passive persecution can involve isolation, or exclusion, and may be the result of ignorance more than opposition.

Perhaps open opposition is easier to handle. It certainly seems less effective in hindering Christian action. In Bangladesh, the Nazarene leader is among the top targets of Al-Qaeda, but in only 16 years the work there has grown to over 1,600 churches, with 193 ministers ordained just last year.

Persecution is inevitable. Christ-following is not popular. "Syncretism" is the blending of additional elements into Christianity, making it more acceptable and therefore less effective. Raw Christ-following challenges the world's values with such concepts as these: forgiveness, humitliy, putting others first, the value of human life, and mercy. Essentially, followers of Jesus see a bigger story than "What can this person do for me?"

David recommended the movie Les Miserables for a portrayal of Christ-values in opposition to "normal" values.

Verses 11 and 12 elaborate on persecution, adding lies and verbal insults to the list of methods. Sometimes the attacks come from within the religious community as well. Christ-followers who live by different standards are sometimes accused of cramming their beliefs down the throats of others. Such faithfulness to Jesus' teachings can result in resistance or opposition, perhaps as a reaction to the voice of conscience. Persecution can be a sign that others recognize God's power. Madelyn Murray O'Hair, known as an atheist in the mid-1900s, was probably more a God-hater than a God-doesn't-exist-er.

We did remind ourselves that being persecuted for righteousness or for the cause of Christ is not the same as being persecuted because of foolishness or sin.

The verses mention persecution coming. They do not say "Flee from it," but they don't say "Seek it" either.

Verses 11 and 12 address the appropriate responses to persecution. We are not to display anger, or whine, or look for ways to retaliate. Nor are we to retreat, become litigious (arguing or even taking to court), or capitulate (give in).

Rejoicing, being glad, is vastly different from such "natural" reactions. The word "rejoice" is based on words meaning "leap exceedingly."

The Spirit within us allows rejoicing in our hearts.

1. Persecution allows us to identify with Christ in His sufferings. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Christian who died in a concentration camp, wrote "Suffering then is the true badge of discipleship."
2. When you suffer, it can be a proof that you are who you say you are. Jesus said that the servant is not greater than his master. Since Jesus suffered, His followers will suffer.
3. Persecution is a symbol of our destiny. "Great is your reward in heaven." This life is not all there is.

David shared an illustration drawn from American life. A young man, knowing nothing of the world except the farm he grew up on and the neighboring small town, learns about the big city. At first, he won't leave the comforts of home. Eventually, he journeys to the big city. Despite the dangers and differences, he recognizes that he now has opportunities he'd never had before. In heaven, we will wonder why we held so tightly to this world.

Jesus also mentioned that persecution puts us on the same path the prophets took. The book of Jeremiah tells how the prophet of that name was beaten and put in stocks (chapter 20), threatened with death (chapter 26), and left to die at the bottom of a muddy cistern (chapter 38).

Polycarp, an early church leader, was told to renounce Jesus or he would be burned at the stake. His response was, "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

As we wrapped up our class time, we were reminded that we won't really understand what Jesus was telling us until we experience persecution ourselves.