Blessed Are the Persecuted

Matthew 5:1–12 ESV

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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.

(See also: Persecution)

The martyrs were bound, imprisoned, scourged, racked, burnt, rent, butchered—and they multiplied.

Augustine of Hippo

Persecution is Promised

He starts with “Blessed are those”, in the third person perspective.

This implies the person being persecuted is not Jesus or the people listening

but in verse 11, Jesus changes from a third person to second person, speaking directly to those listening to Him

Revile: Verbal Abuse

Persecute: Inflict Suffering

Utter All Kinds of Evil: Spread Lies

The Cause of Our Persecution is Important

Jesus doesn’t just say “blessed are you when you are persecuted”, He places the stipulation that it must be for His sake

Because you are righteous

This is because when we are persecuted for Christ, He is glorified

When we are persecuted because of our self-righteousness, our bad attitude, or arrogance, we do not glorify the father, but instead dirty His name

The fact that we are blessed when persecuted for “his name” and for “righteousness” makes complete sense in context of the beatitudes

We’ve already been told we are:

spiritually poor

to be meek

merciful

pure of heart

and peacemakers

If we live this type of lifestyle any persecution we face will be for His sake

Two Reasons We are Persecuted:

First, because our lifestyle will be convicting to others

As they look at us, they will see who they are and know their sin

In this same sermon, Jesus teaches that are righteous life show’s the world God’s glory

We are referred to as salt and light. (verse 13-16)

Salt, in that if we follow Christ, our life will preserve the world

Remember salt wasn’t just a seasoning, but a preservative

Light because we will shine the light of Christ on the world around us.

It will lead people to seeing Christ, and glorifying the Father

Philippians 2:14–15 “14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Second, we will be persecuted because the world hates Christ, and we are His

John 15:18–20 “18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”

When we are persecuted, it’s Christ that is being persecuted

Persecution for righteousness’ sake is what every child of God must expect.

Charles Simeon

Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.

John Calvin

Persecution is a Blessing

1 Peter 4:12–14 “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Acts 5:41 “41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

The Jews desired to put an end to the teaching of Jesus, but what they did was bless the disciples

The fire of God can’t be damped out by the waters of man’s persecution.

A. W. Tozer

Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.

Tertullian