Ready:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:10-12
Set:
In the sports world, we all know of people who skirt the rules and yet are applauded and financially rewarded because of the “success” they achieve. Meanwhile, others who refuse to compromise their integrity sometimes lose their roles because “they don’t win enough.” It can seem like those who knowingly do wrong get ahead—but when you choose to do the right thing, you suffer.
In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says that His followers can anticipate this happening to them. When you compete and live for King Jesus, refusing to compromise His ways and His honor, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. But Jesus promises real blessings—the experience of God’s grace and favor—in these challenges. How do we follow His teaching in this passage?
1. Expect Jesus’ experience. Jesus was persecuted, insulted and treated unjustly by those who opposed Him because He was uncompromising in doing and speaking what is right and true. As those committed to following Him and His ways, we should not be surprised when we are also opposed. While our persecution may not include physical suffering, it can involve things like the loss of an opportunity or being slandered by someone antagonistic toward our faith. In a world in which many reject Jesus, we who follow Him as our King can expect to experience what He experienced.
2. Respond with joy through trusting Jesus’ promises. Jesus’ directive to be glad and rejoice when persecuted may seem counterintuitive. Yet this joy is possible as we consider the promises Jesus gives to those who experience opposition because of their loyalty to him: “the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (v. 10), and “your reward is great in heaven” (v. 12). The amazing, long-term rewards of living for Jesus as our King far outweigh the present pain of persecution. We can trust the promises of Jesus.
You will likely encounter difficulty because of your devotion to Christ. But don’t give up and don’t give in. Hold fast to what Jesus promises. With this pain comes great gain.
Go:
In what ways have you encountered—or are you currently experiencing—opposition and difficulties as you seek to compete and live for Christ?
How do the promises of Jesus encourage you to keep trusting and following Him?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, thank You that You submitted Yourself to persecution and suffering for my sake. When I face difficulty because of my faith in You, I pray that I would be glad and rejoice rather than shrinking back. You are worthy of whatever I might endure for Your sake. Amen.”