Matthew 5:10-12 - The Persecuted

The last beatitude reads: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10, English Standard Version).

Why is there a blessing for being persecuted? The other blessings (sometimes called "The Beatitudes") involve character qualities: humble, merciful, pure, etc. Instead of focusing on what we are, this one focuses on what others do to us.

One blessing was for being hungry and thirsty for righteousness. But pursing the right thing--including all the other Beatitudes--will irritate people who are going in the opposite direction, away from Christ. It's guaranteed that "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 (Timothy 3:12, New Living Translation)

Being mistreated--even burned at the stake--doesn't result in an automatic blessing. As we read in the Love Chapter, "...if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV) 

The condition for this blessing is that you're being persecuted because you are following Christ. Others may not even know you're a Christian. You may simply be "doing the right thing" and it makes other people feel guilty or threatened.

This last Beatitude is so important that Jesus repeats and expands on it:
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (ESV)

"Persecution" isn't necessarily being burned at the stake or thrown into prison. Jesus says it could be something as simple as others bad-mouthing you.

The reward? The blessing? It's the same as the first Beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs" (Mt 5:3, NLT). It comes full circle. The person who knows their need for God will be given the courage, endurance and grace to stay loyal to Christ.

Father in heaven,
We want to be part of your Kingdom because we want to be near our King. Give us the humility and fortitude to do the right thing, even in the face of opposition. In the name of our Sovereign, Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.