Matthew 5:10-12

In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus now turns to the inevitable result of following Him as His disciple, and He makes it clear that they are going to suffer for His sake. He explains to them how they should handle suffering. Now it is important to remember, each Beatitude that Jesus described in the previous verses, were to be the attitudes that must be formed in the heart of every true disciple of Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, these are the character qualities that He wants in you. Your character is reflected in how you relate to God, and how you relate to people. However, character is also being built in you as you learn how to suffer for His name. This is why Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Now after reading these words of Jesus, you may think to yourself, Can I really be blessed when I am persecuted? I don’t know if persecution is such a blessed experience. How can this be? 

Did you know that there are approximately 70 other passages in the New Testament where Jesus addressed suffering with His disciples? Suffering was a major topic in the preaching of Jesus. Therefore, what did Jesus actually declare about suffering in these specific verses before us? What kind of persecution are you going to experience as a believer? There are two kinds of persecution. One type of suffering is physical persecution where you may experience physical abuse, beating, or even death. Second, there is a verbal persecution where people say mean and evil things to you, and about you, falsely for Christ’s sake. Both types of persecution are referred to in these verses we are about to study. Jesus first addressed the verbal abuse you must take for his sake, and then the physical abuse you may also receive, just as the prophets who were before you.

What does persecution look like?

Jesus specifically warned the disciples on that last night before the crucifixion that they would meet harsh physical persecution in John 16:1-2. There He told them that suffering would be their experience if they followed Him. He warned, “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.” He wanted them to know these things, so that they might not stumble when suffering came their way.  Now, do you remember anyone in the Scripture that actually thought he was doing God a service when he killed Christians? Saul did this, who later had his name changed to Paul. So, this prediction of Jesus literally came to pass. However, there were many others throughout history just like Saul, who believed that they too were doing God a service to persecute and kill Christians. There are also many around the world today that believe they are doing their god a service by killing Christians. Just look at some of the Muslim countries today that bomb Christian churches, or put men and women in prison because they reject Islam, and its teachings. Even here in the United States today, attitudes are changing toward Christians. People are now describing Christian’s and their beliefs as intolerant, because we stand against abortion or homosexuality. The United States is an incredible country that has awesome civil rights and freedoms, but these freedoms may not last long. How will you deal with persecution coming toward you and your family? Are you truly ready to suffer persecution for His name? Many times, we take our freedoms for granted. Yet, many around the world take the chance of losing their life, for simply opening their mouth and telling others that they are a believer, or by attending a church service. For example, look at the Sudan were over the last 20 years of civil war in that country Christians are murdered regularly. It is estimated that anywhere from 1 to 1 ½ million believers have been put to death for their faith in Christ. Their churches have been burned, their homes have been destroyed, and they have been driven out of their land. Today Christians live in a very small portion of the southern part of Sudan. If you look at China or India, believers are being persecuted by Hindu, Buddhist, or other government entities. According to the statistics, in over 60 countries around the world today there are believers suffering for their faith. They have few civil rights, or they have no civil rights at all. Some are persecuted to the point of death. How long will we be spared from that kind of persecution here in the United States? I don’t know. But, one thing you should do today is, pray for those that are experiencing this incredible suffering around the world. The apostle wrote in Hebrews 13:3, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also.” Paul also asked again when speaking of suffering in 1 Thessalonians 5:25, “Brethren, pray for us.” Therefore, pray for those you know are being persecuted today, and pray for those who persecute you!

The second kind of persecution is a lesser form of harassment, but it is still persecution. I am referring to the verbal abuse and reviling that comes to you, because of your faith, from those who do not know God. Here in our text, Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.” Notice that Jesus believed verbal harassment, mocking, or evil words spoken against you falsely, was truly actual persecution. Why do people do this to believers? It is simply because you are a Christian, and have a different belief system than they do, which brings conviction of sin upon their hearts. This persecution will happen to you from within your family, where you work, or in your neighborhood. Persecution is going to happen, so you must be prepared for it. Both of these forms of persecution are difficult and hard to handle. I think the physical persecution is extremely difficult, and yet for us here in the United States, we experience only the latter, the verbal persecution. However, sometimes Christians do not experience any persecution all. Why is this? I think that you should be alarmed if you are not mocked or persecuted in some way. Why? Because it means that your light is not shining before men, and your verbal testimony for Him is non-existent. You have hidden your light under a basket (Matt. 5:15). This is why Jesus addressed this very issue in the next few verses of this sermon. Never forget that persecution is a reality for every true believer who shares their faith with others. The more you are a light for Him, the more you will experience persecution. It is inevitable. It is not an issue of if you will be persecuted; it is an issue of when it will come your way. Notice that Jesus made this point very clear in verse 11, “Blessed are you when,” not if you are persecuted. This is why I say, if you are not experiencing any kind of persecution, verbal mocking, or someone isn’t laughing at you; then ask yourself why. Are you truly being a light in this world? Are you affecting anyone with the gospel of Jesus Christ? This is the question you must answer.

Suffer for righteousness sake.

Now, one balance I must bring to this topic concerning verbally sharing your faith with others. I am not talking about being offensive and weird with people and then claiming, “Oh, look at how I am being persecuted.” If you are being offensive, this is the reason people are persecuting you. You can only righteously be persecuted for righteousness sake. If you are loving people, doing righteousness, and sharing the gospel with people in a caring manner, and then you are persecuted and mocked, this is righteous persecution. But there is nothing blessed about getting fired from your job for being weird or incompetent, or for failing to do your job, or for disobeying your employer. There is nothing blessed about behaving in such a way at all! In fact, if you have done any of these things, you have sinned, and dishonored the Lord. If you are haughty, harsh, or trying to provoke people to persecute you by being weird, that was not what Jesus was talking about in these verses. The Apostle Peter addressed this truth in 1 Peter 4:15-16, when he commanded believers, “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” If you are suffering because you are a murderer, a busybody, or an evil doer, then nothing is blessed about that kind of lifestyle. This kind of behavior is just sinful. Scripture constantly makes this distinction between suffering for what is righteous, or an unrighteous reason. Therefore, make sure you are suffering for the right reasons. 

As I have already mentioned, as you look a little further on in the Sermon on the Mount in verses 13-16, Jesus began to discuss with the disciples that they were to be salt and light in this world. But the question is, are we truly living in such a way that actually makes us salt and light in this world? If you don’t want to experience suffering and persecution, or someone making fun of you, then all you have to do is just be silent. So, I hope you are not trying to be a secret disciple of Christ. This is why Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32). Jesus was teaching in this verse, that to confess Him in this world was a very important thing. Many do not confess Him before men, because they fear someone making fun of them, or mocking them (John 12:42). But, this is part of what it means to be His disciple. He was willing to be mocked, laughed at, and scoured for you, so I hope you are willing to take some abuse for Him? If you are not willing to confess Him before men, you are in reality denying Him before men. This is why Jesus went on to say, “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33). This is also why Jesus said to the disciples on that last night that He was with them, “Remember the word that I said to you, a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). Again, He was encouraging them to remember what He had continually taught them before, that they would suffer persecution as His disciple. The disciples were about to be tested over their willingness to suffer for Him in just a few hours from the time Jesus spoke these words to them. They were going to be tested in the garden when the soldiers came to take Jesus. What would the disciples do? Would they stand with Jesus, or flee? Peter would be tested when he was questioned if he knew Jesus. Would he deny Him? Obviously, we know the answer to these questions. Peter denied Him several times, because he was afraid, and the rest of the disciples would flee in fear. This is why Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you.”

Therefore, if you are identified as a Christian, and are being His light in this world, persecution will surely be coming your way. He was the light to this world, until He ascended into heaven. Now, you are to be that light in this world. This is why persecution will come in your direction, because anyone who lives and walks in a godly way is a reproof to this ungodly world. If the world hated Him, it will also hate you. If you speak up for Him, or give verbal reproof of any unrighteousness in this world, and you say to them, “That’s not right. You should not do that,” people will not like you. This is why the persecution will start coming in your direction. People will respond and say, “Who are you? Are you Mr. righteous? Are you Mr. holy one? Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?” However, it does not bother me when people say this to me, and it should not bother you, because this is what it means to be a disciple of Christ. You are to stand up, and speak up for righteousness! Do you do that? I hope that you do. In 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul said, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” He did not say, might suffer, but will suffer. If you are living a godly life, this is why persecution will come your way. You are being identified with Christ. Peter also taught the same thing in 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering.” Peter told these people the same thing that Jesus told him. Don’t think it strange if you are persecuted. So, remember, if you are being a light in this world, persecution is going to come your way. How are you going to respond?

How to respond to persecution.

Jesus not only taught the disciples that they would experience persecution, but He also explained to them how to respond to it. In Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you… Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Have you ever wondered why you should consider yourself blessed when you are persecuted? The word blessed simply means to be happy. In this teaching, Jesus was trying to get His disciples to think correctly, and have the correct attitude when they suffered for Him. Now most of you are thinking right now, Is it even possible to rejoice and be happy when I’m being persecuted? How can somebody do that? It just doesn’t seem natural for someone to do this? Well, it is not natural! In reality, it is super-natural! You need a super-natural ability that only God can give you, which will enable you to response this way. In fact, all of the Beatitudes require super-natural power from God, in order for you to live the way Jesus taught. God must super-naturally be working in your life to rejoice in persecution. Just consider how super-natural the Beatitudes really are. They each are produced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit working inside of you, which cause you to look at the world in the exact opposite way that a non-Christian would see life. For example, consider the first Beatitude, blessed are the poor in spirit. A non-Christian does not see themselves as spiritually poverty stricken, and in need of a Savior. They think to themselves, I’m okay. I’m a good person. People should count themselves lucky to know me. They see no spiritual need in their lives. However, when someone begins to see their spiritual emptiness within, this reveals that the Holy Spirit is definitely at work inside them. The fruit of the Spirit will always produce humility, because humility is the heart of Jesus (Matt. 11:29). Or, consider the Beatitude, blessed are those who mourn. Again, this is a supernatural work of God to perceive your sin, and mourn because of it. But those who have not surrendered to Christ will only excuse, rationalize, and justify their sin. We all definitely did a lot of that before coming to faith in Christ. Mourning for our sin required a work of the Spirit inside us. How about meekness? To meekly receive from the Lord, and hear His truth, also requires the Spirit to open our eyes to the truth. The Holy Spirit is also the One who gives us that hunger and thirst for righteousness. Is it not a work of the Spirit in your life, that motivates you to seek after what is righteous, godly, and good? To be merciful, pure heart, and a peacemaker, all require a supernatural power of the Spirit within you. So when you see that need in your heart for one of these attitudes, just ask His Spirit to do that work inside you.

To be able to respond correctly to persecution, to trust the Lord, and to rejoice, is the fruit of all the Beatitudes that come before this passage that we are studying. Jesus puts this teaching at the end of the Beatitudes for a reason. This attitude of rejoicing in the midst of suffering, is in reality, a revelation of how much you have been conformed into the image of Christ. If you respond in the same manner as the person who is persecuting you, and you verbalize your hatred for them as they do toward you, would that response reveal that Christ lives in you? Not at all! It would reveal that you are still controlled by your flesh. It would reveal a total lack of all that the Beatitudes teach. So, if you look back at the last time you were verbally mocked by someone, and you did not respond well, it is a revelation that you need further growth in your relationship with Jesus. However, if the last time you were mocked by someone you said, “You know what? I’m sorry you feel that way toward me. Obviously, you are not ready to hear what I have been sharing with you. God bless you.” Then you go about your business. That kind of response clearly reveals that you have been conformed into the image of Christ.

Why should you rejoice?

One important question to answer concerning this topic is, why should you rejoice when you are persecuted? You rejoice because you know that this persecution is all about Him, and because you are following Him. This is the central reason why people choose to persecute you. The world hates Jesus, and it also hates those who follow Him, simply because they love and believe in Him. You must be completely assured that people persecute you because you love Jesus, and you are someone who is testifying about your faith in Him. This is exactly what Peter said about why these early believers rejoiced in their suffering for Christ. In 1 Peter 1:6-8 He told them, “Rejoice… though now… you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” Notice that Peter told them that because they loved and believed in Jesus, this is why they rejoiced with inexpressible joy. Rejoicing in the midst of persecution is the direct result of your love and faith in Him, and because you know that this hatred directed at you, is really directed at Him. This is why you count it a privilege that you can suffer persecution for His Name. Why do you love Jesus? You love Him, because of how much He suffered for you. He took your sin upon Himself, and you love Him for that fact. John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Believers realize the fact of His great love, and therefore count it a blessing and a privilege to suffer for Him. 

The disciples are a great example of this response of rejoicing in the midst of suffering. These men actually understood this reason for suffering, and they lived it. There is a passage in the Book of Acts that clearly reveals the result of this work of God in the disciple’s hearts. These men were commanded not to preach anymore in the Name of Jesus by the authorities in Jerusalem. What did they do? They went right out and continued preaching in His Name. What did the authorities do? They took the disciples, they brought them before the Sanhedrin, and they beat them. Then they told the disciples again not to preach anymore in the Name of Christ. Then the Scripture declares that the disciples, “departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name” (Acts 5:41). Note that they were rejoicing in the midst of their suffering. Why did they rejoice? Because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name. When you realize that He suffered shame for you, the natural result is that you fall in love with Him. This love for Him is why you would count it a privilege to suffer for Him. He suffered for you, and now you get the opportunity to suffer for Him. What a privilege! This is a privilege that the disciples clearly understood. Do you understand and embrace this privilege?

I think I can illustrate this principle in a very practical way, especially for you fathers and mothers that have ever had a sick child. I have stood at many bedsides with families that have children that are sick and dying of cancer. Do you know what those parents usually say to me? “If I could get inside the skin of my child, I would gladly take this sickness on myself.” Now what makes a parent think that way? It is because of their love for their child. They care about their child so much that they are willing to take that sickness upon themselves. They can’t do this, but they are willing.  They would count it a privilege to take their child’s place, because they love that child. You will always be willing to suffer for those whom you truly love. Therefore, if you are not willing to suffer for Christ’s sake, then I would have to question how much you really love Him. If you love Him, you cannot be silent concerning your faith. I encourage you to verbalize your faith as often as you possibly can. But then, be ready for the suffering that will come your way.

Let me illustrate this principle of love and suffering in another way. The founding fathers of our country loved and believed in liberty. What were they willing to do for that liberty? At the end of the Declaration of Independence this statement is written: “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” If you look at history, you will realize what the signers of the Declaration of Independence suffered greatly for the stand they took against tyranny. Many of them lost their lives in the Revolutionary War, and others lost their fortunes. Their houses were burned, and their family members were killed. Why did they do this? Because they loved and believed in liberty. So, remember, you will only suffer, or be willing to suffer for what you believe in, and for what you love. Are you willing to allow this truth to be applied to your life? Will you suffer for Him when the time comes?

The benefits of suffering for Him.

The last thing I want you to consider from this passage of Scripture is, what are the benefits of suffering for Him? Let me give you five benefits of suffering as described in Scripture. The first is the theme and purpose of the Beatitudes, which is the character and attitudes that God wants to build in your heart. Building character in your life is one of the most important products of suffering. Paul taught in Romans 5:3-4, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character, hope.” The word glory in this passage is the same Greek word for rejoice. So, Paul is talking about the same issues here that Jesus was addressing here in Matthew. Paul told the Romans that they must understand what trials were producing in their lives. “Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Note that Paul’s point was that character is the result of tribulation in your life. I know that none us likes tribulation, or suffering, but when it comes your way, you must remember this truth. Suffering and trials either make you better, or they can make you bitter. Some of you right now are fighting bitterness inside from the things you have suffered, or are suffering right now. If that is true, this means that you have not received the character transformation that God has intended for you. He wants you to be transformed. He wants to make you into a different person. If you react with resentment and bitterness toward God, character will not be built within you. Rather, you need to trust that God is working all things together for your good, even though you can’t see it right now. You need to cry out to Him to bring you around to the right attitude of heart that He is seeking. What will happen when you surrender this way to Him? Character is built, and you become a different person. Remember, this work only results in the life of those who respond to tribulation and suffering correctly. 

The second benefit of suffering is, that it proves that you will enter the kingdom of God. Notice Matthew 5:10, where Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” If you suffer for Christ’s sake, this should assure you that you are headed for the kingdom!  Remember, the same thing is true in the opposite direction. If you never suffered for righteousness sake, I would question whether you are truly walking in the light. Why do I say this? In 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, Paul was boasting about the church there when he wrote, “We ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.” Their suffering was the clear evidence for why God will judge the world, but it was also the proof of their worthiness to enter the kingdom of God. Paul made this truth even more clear when He said in 2 Timothy 2:12, that if we endure suffering for Him, “We will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” If you are not willing to suffer for Him, you should not expect to reign with Him in His kingdom.  

The third benefit of suffering is that you will be rewarded by Christ for all that you have suffered for Him.  Notice in Matthew 5:12 when Jesus said, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” I believe that the more a person suffers for His sake, the greater will be his or her reward in heaven. Scripture makes it clear that there will be greater rewards for some when we get to heaven (Luke 6:23). Those who have been persecuted, and have experienced incredible suffering in their lives, there is a great reward waiting for them in heaven. Paul believed this fact, and this is why he taught in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Note that when Paul looked at his own suffering, he saw it as a light affliction. When you read 2 Corinthians chapter 11:23-28 where he records of his sufferings, this was no light affliction. Why do I say this? Because he was scourged five times. This is being whipped with 39 stripes across the back. Most men did not live through one scourging. He was also beaten with rods three times. This was where they took metal rods that were heated, and beat the person with them. Three times he was shipwrecked. Once he was stoned and left for dead. Paul thought that these were, “a light affliction.” How could he ever say such a thing? He saw his suffering for Christ as nothing compared to the glory that was coming for him. He had his eyes clearly fixed on the eternal reward that was waiting for him. Are your eyes fixed on that eternal reward? 

The fourth benefit of suffering is that it puts you in the best of company. What company am I referring to? Notice at the end of Matthew 5:12 Jesus declared, “For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” If you suffer for Jesus, you are in the same company as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Daniel, and the disciples of Christ. Wow! That is pretty good company. Eternally, these will be your companions, because you will ultimately reign with Christ. In 1 Peter 5:9 Peter said concerning those who suffer, “Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Remember that you have a brotherhood of other saints who are suffering just like you. You are not alone in your suffering. Everyone else in this world that stands up for Christ is suffering in the same way. You will be in good company one day!   

The fifth benefit of suffering is actually what enables you to go through suffering. Who empowers you to endure suffering? The Spirit of God! In 1 Peter 4:14 Peter said, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, blessed are you for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon on you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” Notice that Peter calls those who suffer blessed, just as Jesus did. When you experience suffering for Jesus sake, the Holy Spirit will come upon you in order that you might endure. What a powerful benefit is this!

Therefore, if you are in love with Jesus, take your stand for Him, and speak up. Give testimony to those who do not know Him. The Spirit of God will empower you to speak, and to endure when suffering comes your way. People tell me all the time how God has helped them to testify for Christ. They say things like, “I was so afraid to speak. I was so nervous, and then all of a sudden, I sensed God’s Spirit, and so I spoke up and started to share. All these verses started coming to my mind. I started sharing about how much I love the Lord, and how He has changed my life. I walked away from that moment so filled with the Holy Spirit.” Have you ever experienced His empowering like that? If you have not, you are missing a great joy. We go down to the Pismo pier here in our town to share our faith each Tuesday night. I’m so amazed because every time I go I am so tired, so I usually pray, “Lord help me. It has been a long day. I need your Holy Spirit to come and fill me.” But, when I am driving home, I am so filled with the Spirit of God, and I’m not tired anymore. Why is that the result? It is because you doing what is a blessed thing, by sharing your faith. If I have been yelled at by someone, it seems like such a small thing, because I am so filled with the Holy Spirit. But, unless you are willing to step out of your comfort zone, and step up to the plate, you will never experience what I have just recounted. The next time, when you see that you have an opportunity to share your faith, take it, and say to Him, “Lord fill me with Your Spirit so I will say something that will glorify you, and your truth.” Then you will experience this powerful benefit of being filled with His Spirit.