Matthew 5:10

"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.” ()

The opening section (5:3–10) pronounces blessings on eight categories of people.

The “poor in spirit” (5:3) are those who,

conscious of their own inadequacy,

The expression occurs also in the Qumran texts (and cf. ).

rely on God’s grace;

lacking material wealth,

they are inwardly rich.

The mourners (5:4) refuse to close their eyes to human sorrow; they sympathize with the tragedy of life.

The “meek” (5:5) are the opposite of the self-assertive; their reward has been announced already in .

"But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.” ()

Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (5:6) are consumed with the desire to see God’s will done—in themselves and among mankind at large.

The “merciful” (5:7), the “pure in heart” (5:8) and the “peacemakers” (5:9) reflect the character of the God of mercy, purity and peace.

In a world where the accepted standards of value are the reverse of these, such people are not likely to have an easy time.

In fact, they are almost bound to be “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (5:10).

But, says Jesus, here is no ground for complaint, but rather for exultation:

people such as he describes are the truly happy and fortunate people;

on them their friends should press warm and sincere congratulations.

This brings us to the main point of our text.

MAIN THEME: True Godliness is usually attended with persecution.

MAIN THEME: True Godliness is usually attended with persecution.

Let’s unpack it together.

Let’s see the CHARACTER of the persecution. “persecuted” (v10).

They are persecuted, hunted, pursued, run down, as noxious beasts are,

that are sought for to be destroyed; as if a Christian were an outlaw. Paul spoke to the Corinthians about how they were received as apostles.

He says that they were slandered and “we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.” ()

"when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.” ()

"...Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. "Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. "They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. "The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.” ()

Paul speaks about the things that cannot separate us from the love of God. He talks about

affliction, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, the sword? "As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.” () This has been the effect of the enmity of the serpent’s seed against the holy seed,

ever since the time of righteous Abel. It was so in Old-Testament times.

Christ has told us that it would much more be so with the Christian church, and

we are not to think it strange,"Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” ()

This is the Character of the persecution. Look at “… they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.” (v11).

“insult” meaning reproach. Heaping insults upon believers.

For example, "“You were born entirely in sin,...and are you trying to teach us?” ()

Surely, those who did not hesitate to address Jesus as follows, “Aren’t we right in saying that you’re a Samaritan and have a demon?”” ()

would not hesitate to heap insults upon his disciples also (cf. ).

This is exactly what our Lord says: "Remember the word I spoke 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.” ()

v11 says that they “falsely say every kind of evil against you...”

This is slander.

Similarly, a little later, during the early persecutions of the church,

Christians were going to be called atheists because they did not worship a visible God;

immoral because helplessly they would frequently meet in secret places;

and unpatriotic because they confessed loyalty to Christ as their King and refused to worship the emperor.

“… they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.” (v11).

Let’s see the CAUSE of the persecution. “because of righteousness” (v10)

When the faith of God’s children has developed sufficiently to be outwardly manifested

so that those who do not share it with them begin to take notice, persecution results.

The persecution to which Jesus refers does not spring from purely

social,

racial,

economic, or

political causes,

but is rooted in being in relationship with Jesus.

It is distinctly a persecution “for righteousness’ sake.”

Which is because the people to whom reference is made (followers of Jesus)

wish to be and to live in harmony with God’s holy will

that they endure persecution and continue to hold out under it

no matter what happens to them.

There is no need to change the definition of the word “righteousness” here: it is the same as in verse 6.

The wicked cannot tolerate those who in the eyes of God are accounted “righteous.”

Their very character is a constant protest against the character of their opponents.

For that reason the “world” hates the children of God (; ; ; , ).

"You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” ()

"“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name.” ()

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” ()

"unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. "Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” ()

This hatred underlies the persecution of which 5:10 speaks.

The Lord assures the persecuted ones that they are blessed.

By constant reading of this beatitude, or perhaps having committed it to memory in childhood,

we have become so accustomed to it that it has lost its original impact.

The impression upon those whom Jesus was addressing must have been tremendous,

because it was a rather common idea among the Jews that all suffering, including persecution (see ),

was an indication of God’s displeasure and of the special wickedness of the one afflicted with suffering.

Christ here reverses this view, but only with respect to those who endured persecution for the sake of

righteousness (verse 10), & Himself (v11) “because of Me.”.

We might add that the meaningfulness of this beatitude is not lost upon those who today, who are being persecuted because of their allegiance to Christ.

May we never forget them in our prayers and in every other way in which they can be benefitted by us!

himself (v11) “because of Me.”

Let’s see the COMPENSATION of the persecution. “for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (v10). says Jesus

“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” says Jesus, returning thus to the pronouncement of bliss found at the conclusion of the first beatitude (verse 3). All the grace and the glory that results when God in Christ is recognized and obeyed as Soveriegn is theirs even now, and will be theirs in ever increasing measure.

As He returns (as follows) to the pronouncement of bliss found at the conclusion of the first beatitude (verse 3).

All the grace and the glory that results when God in Christ is recognized and obeyed

as Sovereign is theirs even now, and will be theirs in ever increasing measure.

Look at the phrase in v12, “because your reward is great in heaven.”

“because your reward is great in heaven.” (v12). persecution is followed by great reward in heaven; not a wage won by human merit, but the reward of grace.

Persecution is followed by great reward in heaven; not a wage won by human merit,

but the reward of grace.

This reward is in proportion to, yet much greater than, the sacrifice (; , ).

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” ()

"For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. "So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ()

“because your reward is great in heaven.” (v12).

Let’s see the COMMAND in the persecution. “Be glad and rejoice” (v12). I love how the KJV puts it, “be exceeding glad”.

The scripture connects suffering and rejoicing here.

And the word is connected to Peter praising God for the reality that YHWH was constantly at the right hand it says, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,” ()

Or the converted jailer and his enter household praised God: "He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household.” ()

or with which Abraham greeted the welcome news that he was to see Christ’s day ();

or with which Peter, contemplating the grace and the glory of the now unseen Jesus Christ,

described his readers, who shared this contemplation with him, as “…you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy.” ().

and with which the great triumphant heavenly multitude will one day respond to the coming of the Bridegroom to take his bride to himself,

"Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself.” ()

So the command to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” () Isn’t so out of line is it?

After all, listen to Moses’s words. Do you remember these?

"Because you didn’t serve the Lord your God with joy and a cheerful heart, even though you had an abundance of everything, "you will serve your enemies ...” ()

Remember King David, who called God his “greatest joy” () and said, "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” () and “Take delight in the Lord” ().

He also prayed "Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.” () and who promised that lasting pleasure is found in God alone: "...in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” ()

Then you come to these words of Jesus: "“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...” ()

Jesus also said: "“I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” ()

is the One who endured the cross “For the joy that lay before Him.” ().

and who promised that, in the end, faithful servants would hear the words from , “Share in your Master’s joy!”.

Moses, David, Jesus. What about the Apostles?

Piper, J. (2001). The dangerous duty of delight (p. 11). Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers.

It was James, the brother of Jesus who said, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,” ()

And to the Apostle Paul, who was sorrowful yet always rejoicing () and who described the ministry as being “workers with you for your joy” ().

and who commanded Christians to “rejoice in the Lord always” (); and even to “exult in … tribulations” (). "... we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,” ()

The Dangerous Duty of Delight: The Glorified God and the Satisfied Soul Chapter 1: Treating Delight as Duty is Controversial

and who commanded Christians to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4); and even to “exult in … tribulations” (Romans 5:3).

And to the apostle Peter, who said, "Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.” ()

You see brothers and sisters, to rejoice is a command!

Scripture is teaching you and I that joy isn’t some spin-off of obedience to God, but part of obedience.

It seems as though people are willing to let joy be a by-product of our relationship to God, but not an essential part of it.

People are uncomfortable saying that we are duty-bound to pursue joy.

Joy is an act of obedience.

If obedience is doing what God commands, then joy is not merely the spin-off of obedience, it is obedience.

The Bible tells us over and over to pursue joy:

"Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” ()

"Take delight in the Lord...” ()

The Bible does not teach that we should treat delight as a mere by-product of duty.

Here’s an example. Niki, must I give you a kiss before bed?

To which she responds with: Well, if there’s not some sort of spontaneous affection from my person that is motivating you to do that, then save your kiss.

So it is, when our hearts are set on God and we’re seeking Him and knowing Him we find ourselves delighting in God and thus pursuing our obedience, our spontaneous affection for God as we study Him and love Him more!

So that there’s no issue with the statement to rejoice in the midst of trials and persecution.

Let’s see the COMPANY in the persecution. “For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (v12)

Let’s see the COMPANY in the persecution. “For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (v12)

When Jesus spoke the words of verses 11, 12 he clearly implied that his own teaching was not

a contradiction of prophetic utterances but was in line with them.

but was in line with them. He had not come to destroy or annul. He had come to fulfil (5:17).

He had not come to destroy or abolish.

He had come to fulfil (5:17).

So we’ve seen the CHARACTER of the persecution.

Let’s see the CHARACTER of the persecution. “persecuted” (v10).

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew (Vol. 9, p. 282). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Let’s see the CAUSE of the persecution. “because of righteousness” (v10) and because of Jesus (v11)

Let’s see the COMPENSATION of the persecution. “for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (v10).

Let’s see the COMMAND in the persecution.

Let’s see the COMPANY in the persecution.

We are yoked together with all the faithful who’ve gone on ahead of us.

So what is the chief cause of persecution?

GOD. Remember, the One that we’re joyfully pursuing?!!

It’s part of God’d decree. Listen to the view point of the Apostle Paul in writing to the Thessalonians: "And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, "so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” ()

They saw afflictions as being appointed!

What’s God’s design in them? In , God’s afflictions is described as purifying, cleansing, and refining.

Persecution is the touchstone of sincerity. It reveals the true saints from the hypocrites.

one asks about the time period before the events will be fulfilled, and another responds.

Unconverted hearts pretend that all is good in times of prosperity.

Daniel asks,

But in a time of persecution, they fall away!

"And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. "But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.” ()

Hypocrites cannot sail in stormy weather; they will follow Christ to mount Olivet, but not to mount Calvary!

Hypocrites will trade Jesus for 30 pieces of silver!

God permits persecutions in the world to make a discovery of who’s who! Suffering times for true believers are sifting times for them.

"Yet he knows the way I have taken; when he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.” ()

Job had a furnace faith! A true Christian, one truly born of God, no matter what he loses, will have this testimony!

After all of Job’s children were killed God says to satan, "...He still retains his integrity...”” ()

Christ’s true disciples will follow Him upon the water even when they rage!

God puts us in the furnace of discipline that we might share in His holiness ().

SO what good is this doctrine? In what way does this truth serve us and build us as Redeemer Church?

1. It provides information as to the true nature of Christianity.

It’s inseparable from suffering. A true believer carries Christ in his heart and the cross on his shoulders.

"In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” ()

In Christ’s earthly ministry, He and His cross never parted.

As believers, we don’t get two heaven! One here and then another hereafter!

Indeed, it’s suffering that has been entrusted to us by Christ. "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”” ()

We, like Christ, must suffer before we enjoy the fullness of our reigning with Christ.

"if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;” ()

If the Head of the church was crowned with thorns, do we think that we’ll be crowned with soft evergreen?

"Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.” ()

If we’re God’s gold, it’s not strange to be cast into the fire!

Persecutions aren’t signs of God’s anger or some fruit of living in a cursed world.

Because Jesus say’s that the persecuted are the blessed ones!

If you and I are blessed to die in the Lord, aren’t we equally blessed to die for the Lord?

Here’s our exhortation Redeemer Church. Let is passage exhort you to think before sufferings come.

Pondering these things before they come can do us no harm but it may do us some good.

a. Thinking about these things has a way of sobering up our hearts.

Our hearts are very apt to be light and feathery.

Thoughts of persecution and suffering would help make the heart firm.

Asking ourselves, am I in the posture fit for persecution?

b. Thinking about persecution helps us to fight off the excess of our earthly delights.

Thoughts of persecutions takes the heart off of the unwarranted love of the creation.

Our Savior

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Declaring the causes of persecution. (sect. 3)

Showing how persecution makes one blessed (sect. 5)

Sharp reproof (sect. 7)

Believers should count beforehand on suffering (sect. 8)

How can we arm ourselves for sufferings (sect. 9).