WEEKLY INTRODUCTION: The theme for the Beatitudes is the same as Jesus’ message throughout His ministry, namely: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” and the King wants to reign in your heart and rule over our lives now. It is a spiritual kingdom in which we enter through the gate of REPENTANCE and walk its streets by FAITH. Each Beatitude identifies the quality of one who has entered the Kingdom, followed by a promise to those who possess this quality. Once we enter the Kingdom, or we might say, once the Kingdom enters us, we receive all its blessings.

The Eighth Beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:10).

We are all aware that people are persecuted around the world for various reasons, including ethnic background, economic status, and religious convictions. But Jesus focused this beatitude on being persecuted for “righteousness.” His focus was on those who are and have been persecuted for living a godly life as a result of having been transformed by the power of God. These are the ones who should consider themselves “blessed.”  

Jesus went on to say,

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12).

Notice that the persecution of which Jesus spoke is about receiving insults and false accusations because of their faith in Christ. This is not about being persecuted for being an evildoer, but for living a godly life because of Christ.

Jesus had more to say about being persecuted,

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15:18-21).

Jesus wanted His disciples to know that they would be following in Jesus’ steps regarding persecution. That is, if they did it to Jesus, their Master, they would do it to them also.

So, why is persecution for naming the name of Christ a cause for rejoicing? Let’s look at some reasons:

• Our reward in Heaven is great, as Jesus said (Mt. 5:10).
• We share in the sufferings of Christ and the Prophets (1 Pet. 2:20-25).
• Our life of righteousness is recognized by others (1 Pet. 3:13-16; 1 Pet. 4:12-16).
• We experience a deeper fellowship with Christ (Phil. 3:7-11; 2 Cor. 4:8-9).
• We have the privilege of praying for and blessing those who are persecuting us (Mt. 5:43-45; Rom. 12:14).

Let’s remember that for all those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness should count it a blessing because their reward in heaven is great. I love what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippian Christians:

 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him (Phil. 1:29).

Friends, if you are suffering insults and verbal blowbacks because of your faith in Christ, stand strong and count it a privilege that you are suffering because of Jesus’ name. He went before you. And now, you can pray for those who despitefully accuse you of your faith. Stand strong, because your reward in this life and the next is great.

May the Lord bless each of you who are persecuted for righteousness, and for naming the name of Christ.