Observation: In this version of the beatitudes, Jesus declares that those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus should ... rejoice! Those who are insulted and have their reputations attacked should even celebrate, because this is just like how God's prophets have always been treated, and surely there will be great reward in heaven.
Application: In the past, my reputation at work has been actively attacked, and I can knowingly state that the attackers knew I was a Christian, and they themselves very much are not. When the worst of this happened, my wife received a very strong one-word commanded from God ... rejoice!
Recently, my wife's reputation has been publicly attacked. Jesus knew this would happen to his believers. This wouldn't be something that happened just to one or two of them, or that may fly under the radar or just be brushed aside. Jesus knew that those who openly believe in him as the Messiah and son of God would have their personal and professional reputations actively and aggressively attacked. They would be hated, excluded, insulted, and besmeared. And our response is to be ... rejoice!
This isn't just a conceptual response to this form of attack. This is a command. As much as any other teaching or instruction of Jesus, rejoicing in the face of personal attack is a command to believers.
I know my wife and I have been attacked. I know we will be attacked again. I am thrilled that, in some very small way, this places us in the company of the prophets and apostles. And I will rejoice.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you and your greatness today and every day. You have uplifted me and my family in your mighty hands. I do not seek more conflict and hatred and insults in my life, but I rejoice that I am identified as yours even by those who don't believe in you. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment