“Blessed are
those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. 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
5:10-12, NIV).
Jesus described “persecuted because of righteousness”
blessing by expanded to “persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you,” which adds up to a
thorough rejection. This is news we don’t want to hear. Do we really want to follow Jesus
into a life of blessing that also promises difficulty and pain? Jesus
instructed those considering becoming his disciples to count the cost (Luke
14:28), and he provided a clear idea of what that cost might be. There will
always be some who decide the price tag for spiritual maturity and God’s
blessing is too high.
Jesus helped by giving us
a more long-range view. Costs and rewards may be present or future. One choice
may yield great short-term rewards followed by long-term regrets; another may
be difficult at first but generate years of great reward. Jesus applied the
principle to all of life. He warned that the immediate results of following him
may be hard, but the reward of heaven will make the hardships worthwhile.
If we read through the
first seven “Blessed” (Matthew 5:3-9)
with costs in mind, we discover that each one requires an uncomfortable
investment, beginning with coming clean about spiritual poverty. Repentance
(mourning) may not be a cost we’re eager to bear. Humbling ourselves will take
a toll on pride, and longing for justice will be frustrating in a fallen world.
Mercy will cost us our strong desire for revenge. And the desire for purity and
peace will be costly to our tendency toward self-centredness. But Jesus has
promised that God blesses those who make the difficult investments in his way
of living. God will bring lasting satisfaction into your life as a long-term
result.
Think about this: Jesus was certainly speaking with
the end of life in mind;
Much of the blessing from the “Blessed”
will come to us in eternity.
Yet there are clearly lifelong benefits that come to
us on our present journey with Jesus.
THINK BIG.
START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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