In life, there are many things we are associated with in general. Our families, churches, work, school, clubs, etc. Each one lends itself to an image or reputation to the public. These are things very dear to us and hurt us when someone says something negative or false about them. However, it becomes a different matter when we are singled out of the group and the accusations or persecution becomes personal.
In Matthew 5:11-12, we see the last of the Beatitudes. The persecution mentioned in verse 10 is expounded upon and expanded in these two verses. In verse 10 Jesus says blessed are “they,” now in verse 11 it is blessed are “you.” This takes on a personal tone and makes it clear if we are following Christ in obedience, we will suffer persecution and we will be reviled. To revile is to slander, to call you names that are evil, and accuse you of things that are wrong when you are innocent. They will ridicule you because you are standing firm with Christ. This may even happen in the church. This should be a place where we should feel loved and safe from slander and contempt, but all who are in the church are not sold out to Christ. They are those who either have not abandoned their desire to please the world and are jealous of those in the church, or they are wolves in sheep’s clothing as described in Matthew 7:15. It is discouraging when the attacks come from within, but Satan is out to destroy us at any cost. In I Peter 5:8, we are told to pay attention, “Be sober, be vigilant. Why, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Nothing would delight Satan more than to persecute the church from within. We as Christians have to be aware that he will look for ways to use us to destroy others, to cause strife and contention within the body.
They ridiculed Jesus often. In John 8:48 “Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” Accusing him of being a Samaritan, which was a group of people the Jews had nothing to do with. They used the word “well” which when translated means truly. These were words of contempt and reproach. The Samaritans were thought to be heretics. They accused him of having a devil because He told them they were not of God, nor were they friends of God. If the Jews, those who were once God’s chosen people, and the world treated Jesus this way we should expect the same.
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
We find men who loved God and stood for truth all throughout scripture who were tortured for their faith. It is still happening today. In America, we have not been murdered because we believe, but many have been silenced because they preached the word. When we speak the Bible where homosexuality, adultery, abortion, and many other socially acceptable sins are condemned by God, we are labeled as narrow-minded and unloving. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is a good thing when someone warns you and saves you from danger. It is a wonderful thing when you are introduced to someone who loves you enough to lay down their life for you. It is a great thing when lives are changed because they are following Christ and living a life of freedom in Him. When they understand that with Jesus, forgiveness reigns and there is no condemnation to those that are in Him.
In verses 11 and 12, Jesus proclaims that we are blessed, which means fully satisfied, and that we should rejoice because great is our reward for living a life that stands true and firm for the gospel. It is easy to tell others you are a Christian, but it takes on a different meaning when we are persecuted and reviled because of it. The only way that you can be this kind of Christian is to draw close to God by studying His word and praying. He gives strength and He gives guidance. He gives wisdom and He gives comfort. If you are a Christian, but you have no time to meet with God daily, you are setting yourself up for failure when persecution or reviling comes. Don’t be deceived into thinking everything is good when you are disobeying God by not praying, studying, and applying what you have learned.
Get in the Word and draw close to Him. If you determine to start and stay with it, it will become so good you look forward to it every day. You have no idea what you are missing. Don’t cheat yourself out of the best God has for you. If we are living a godly life, one day, it will be personal when we are reviled for our standing against sin and for Christ. You will be able to stand against the attacks. It will also be personal when we one day stand before God and give an account of our life. We can make excuses, but he knows all, and He knows if we failed because of our laziness or selfishness. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves. He knows our motives and we will be judged accordingly. Think about it!
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