Rejected, but Rejoicing

Transcription

1 The Beatitudes Blessed are those who have been persecuted The Beatitudes Rejected, but Rejoicing (Matthew 5:10 12) If I were addressing a crowd and asked all who want happiness to hold up their hands, probably everyone s hand would go up. If I asked, How many desire persecution? few (if any) hands would be raised. Nevertheless, in Matthew 5:10 Jesus joined happiness and persecution: Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Phillips translation puts it like this: Happy are those who have suffered persecution...! In the eighth beatitude, we have a contrast between natural impulse and the response of a personality in the hands of God. Hugo McCord wrote, Self-preservation is said to be the first law of nature. When the eighth beatitude takes hold of a man, that man is willing to go contrary to nature. Christianity is the opposite of self-preservation. When attachment to Jesus is fully developed, a Christian says: Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. (Phil. 1:20). He thinks not of whip... as mal-treatment but a special favor! To him it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but to suffer in his behalf (Phil. 1:29). 1 In the final beatitude, we come full circle to the promise given in the first beatitude: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In 5:3 this blessing was given for those who acknowledge their spiritual destitution. Following this verse we have attitudes and actions that result from being poor in spirit. Finally, in 5:10 we have one more expression of being spiritual beggars: maintaining a positive attitude even when persecuted. 1 Hugo McCord, Happiness Guaranteed (Murfreesboro, Tenn.: Dehoff Publications, 1956), 54. As you look at Matthew 5:3 12, you may notice something different about the eighth beatitude. Like the other beatitudes, it consists of a single sentence and is in the third person; 2 but unlike the other beatitudes, it is followed by two additional sentences in the second person. 3 Jesus was applying the beatitude directly to His disciples. Why did Jesus expand this beatitude and not the others? Perhaps He wanted His followers to know what they could expect from the world if they developed the type of character outlined in the previous beatitudes. Maybe He expanded His thought because He realized how difficult it would be for His disciples to see any blessedness in persecution. Since this beatitude is three verses in length instead of one, and since it contains a variety of thoughts instead of the usual two (requirement plus promise), the format of this lesson will vary somewhat from the others in the series. PERSECUTION IS INEVITABLE In our text Jesus desired to convey at least two messages. The first is that persecution is inevitable. Jesus did not want persecution to be a surprise to His followers; He wanted them to be prepared for it. Shortly before His death, He told the apostles, Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... (John 15:20). 2 In English third person ( he, she, they ) is used when you talk about someone. 3 In English second person ( you ) is used when you talk to someone. 1

2 When Jesus spoke of persecution, He was not trying to give His disciples a persecution complex. 4 No one is more miserable than the individual who thinks everyone is against him, who imagines all kinds of insults and abuses. Jesus was simply stating a fact: The faithful child of God cannot avoid persecution. Jesus did not want to fill His followers with foreboding, but He did want them to know what to expect. Neither was Jesus suggesting that being persecuted is infallible proof that one is Godapproved. Persecution is not so much a proof of discipleship as it is a result of discipleship. If I say, Happy are mothers who have suffered for the sake of motherhood, I am not implying that all who have suffered are mothers. Suffering is not a proof of motherhood, but a result of being mothers (including the pain of bearing children). I mention this because some sect leaders have insisted that the fact that they are persecuted is proof that they are God s anointed. Jesus did not say, Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are obnoxious, overbearing, or offensive. What Jesus did say is Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Review in your mind what we said about righteousness in the first lesson in this series: It can refer to the righteous character of God; it can refer to being counted as righteous by the Lord; it can refer to righteous living. We may therefore conclude that Jesus was talking about being persecuted for being a child of God who is trying to live as the Father has directed. Jesus, however, put it more simply than that in verse 11. There He said, Blessed are you when people... persecute you... because of Me (Matthew 5:11; emphasis mine). In the parallel passage in Luke, He said, Blessed are you when men hate you... for the sake of the Son of Man (6:22; emphasis mine). Jesus was talking about persecution that comes as a result of following Him and trying to be like Him. Remember that He said, If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. Peter wrote that if anyone suffers as a Christian [one who belongs to Christ], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God... (1 Peter 4:16). Jesus was not the only one who emphasized that we can anticipate persecution if we are 4 A related term is martyr complex. This is basically the same as being paranoid. faithful to the Lord. Paul told Timothy, Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12; see Acts 14:22). As sure as when you throw something up into the air it will come down, equally sure is this spiritual truth: All who desire to lead godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. According to Jesus and Paul, if we have not felt the physical or emotional lash of persecution, self-examination is in order: Do we really desire to live godly in Christ Jesus? Why is persecution inevitable for those who desire to live godly? Tension always exists between right and wrong, between good and evil. Jesus said that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (John 3:19, 20). Since the forces of evil are constantly at war against the forces of righteousness (see Ephesians 6:10 17), those who faithfully stand for right can expect persecution. One who refuses to yield to the devil can expect rough treatment at his hands. Persecution: What? To help His followers prepare for persecution, Jesus told them some forms the persecution would take: Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me (Matthew 5:11; emphasis mine). In the parallel reference in the Sermon on the Plain, He said, Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man (Luke 6:22; emphasis mine). In these two passages, Jesus listed at least five types of persecution. (1) Hatred. In Luke 6 Jesus spoke of a time when men hate you. What will cause men to hate you? They may hate you because they cannot comprehend the change that has taken place in your life. My mind goes back to the time I baptized a young man who had been an outstanding college football player. As he came from the waters of baptism, he was bubbling with enthusiasm; he could not wait to tell his friends. It was not long until he came to me very disappointed. Instead of his friends being happy about his conversion, they had ridiculed his decision. I directed him 2

3 to 1 Peter 4:4:... they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you. Another reason people may hate you is that they feel rebuked by the life you live. Just as the penitent pronounce judgment on the impenitent by their actions (see Matthew 12:41), so the godly are judging the ungodly by their lives. Those in the world resent those whose standards are higher than theirs. (2) Ostracism. In Luke 6 Jesus next spoke of a time when men... ostracize you. The KJV has they shall separate you from their company. Many Christians were ostracized from society. They could not conscientiously participate in the pagan-oriented feasts of that day. Many of them lost their jobs. Some who became Christians were ostracized from their families. In Matthew 10 Jesus spoke these heartbreaking words: Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man s enemies will be the members of his household (vv ). One purpose of Christ s coming was to bring peace on the earth, 5 but He knew that the gospel would not bring peace to every home. In certain homes, it would bring a sword when some in those homes accepted the gospel while others refused to do so. Many who are studying these lessons understand this better than I ever will. I speak of those who have been alienated from their families because they decided to follow Christ. Even in America, where people value religious freedom, ostracism occurs. Perhaps none feel this more keenly than Christian teenagers who desire acceptance by their peers but often find themselves on the outside because they refuse to go along with the crowd (see Exodus 23:2a). (3) Insults. Both Matthew s and Luke s accounts have the words insult you. Jesus Himself was insulted: His enemies called Him a gluttonous man and a drunkard (Matthew 11:19) and said He had a demon (John 10:20; see 8:48). If Jesus was insulted, we should not be surprised if Son? 5 See the lesson in this series called Like Father, Like we are. When we are, it hurts. There is no sharper sword than the tongue. When we were children, some of us learned this chant: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. In growing older we have learned that words can be far more hurtful than sticks and stones. Sticks and stones only break bones and bruise the skin, but words can break the heart and devastate the spirit. (4) Slander and misrepresentation. This is closely related to insults. Matthew s account has falsely say all kinds of evil against you, while Luke has scorn your name as evil. When one tries to do right, it is not uncommon for others to misrepresent him. When Joseph refused to commit adultery with Potiphar s wife, she said he had tried to seduce her (see Genesis 39:6b 18). James asked his Christian readers, Do they not blaspheme the fair name 6 by which you have been called? (James 2:7). If you insist on doing Bible things in Bible ways, you may be called narrow-minded or legalistic or even cold and emotionless. 7 Misrepresentation can hurt, but do not forget that Jesus added these words in the Sermon on the Plain: Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way (Luke 6:26). We should pause here to consider the need for balance. Nothing is wrong with a congregation desiring a good reputation in the community. Even Jesus increased in favor with... men (Luke 2:52). However, when such a desire takes precedence over standing for the truth, our emphasis is wrong. Do not forget that Jesus said, Woe to you when all men speak well of you. (5) Unrestrained persecution. Matthew s account uses the words persecute or persecuted three times (vv ). These words are derived from diw kw (dioko), which means to pursue. 8 One writer said that in Matthew 5:10 the term refers to those who are harassed, hunted, spoiled 6 The fair name is Christ. When we are called Christians, we are honoring Christ s name and declaring that we belong to Him. 7 The insults and misrepresentation heaped on those who try to stand for right will vary from place to place. Adapt and expand this to fit where you live. 8 W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White, Jr., Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985),

4 [destroyed]. The term is properly used of wild beasts pursued by hunters. 9 Early Christians must often have felt like beasts pursued by hunters as their property was taken away, as they were imprisoned and tortured, and as many of them were killed. Persecution: Who? When persecutions like these came, Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that they would not be the first who had suffered for righteousness sake. When they were persecuted, they were in good company, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets... (Matthew 5:12). Think of the categories of persecution mentioned earlier. (1) Hatred. The prophets were not a popular group. King Ahab of Israel said regarding Micaiah the prophet, I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil (2 Chron icles 18:7). (2) Ostracism. Because of their unpopularity, prophets sometimes had to live in isolation (see 1 Kings 17:1 7). (3) Insults. King Ahab called Elijah the troubler of Israel (1 Kings 18:17). If you refuse to compromise your convictions regarding God s Word, you, too, may be called a troublemaker. Notice, however, Elijah s response: I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lo r d and you have followed the Baals [pagan gods] (v. 18). (4) Slander and misrepresentation. When Daniel continued to pray to God, other government officials accused him of disloyalty to the king of Babylon (see Daniel 6:1 15). (5) Physical persecution. Jeremiah was beaten (Jeremiah 20:2). Hanani was cast into prison (2 Chronicles 16:7, 10). Zechariah was stoned (2 Chronicles 24:21). According to Jewish tradition, Isaiah was put in a hollow log and sawn in two (see Hebrews 11:37). When Jesus used the Old Testament prophets as an illustration, He was assuring His followers that persecution is not a sign of God s disfavor, for those whom God loved had suffered and were 9 Johann Jakob Wetstein ( ); quoted in A. Lukyn Williams, St. Matthew, The Pulpit Commentary, vol. 15, ed. H. D. M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1950), 150. still suffering. Persecution puts one in the brotherhood of the faithful. Jesus Himself suffered. Christ... suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus apostles also suffered. He told James and John they would drink the cup of suffering and be immersed in the baptism of suffering (see Mark 10:39). James was the first apostle to die, killed by Herod s sword about 44 A.D. (see Acts 12:1, 2). John was banished to the isle of Patmos (see Revelation 1:9). 10 We cannot be sure what happened to the other apostles, but here are some human traditions regarding their deaths: 11 Peter crucified upside down Andrew martyred on a cross at Edessa Philip scourged, thrown into prison, and then crucified at Hierapolis Bartholomew beaten and then crucified Thomas killed with a spear Matthew slain by a sword in Ethiopia James the son of Alphaeus martyred in Egypt Thaddeus crucified Simon Zelotes crucified Matthias stoned and then beheaded 12 Paul beheaded at Rome Early Christians were part of this brotherhood of sufferers for Christ s sake. The Roman emperor Nero had Christians sewn into skins of wild beasts and then turned dogs on them. He had them dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, tied them to stakes, and burned them. When my family visited Rome, I stood on the hill where Nero used burning Christians as torches to furnish light for his feasts. The emperor Domitian decreed that no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion. 13 The various tortures and atrocities inflicted on early Christians are so unsettling that I cannot bring myself to list them. Suffice it to say that they 10 According to human tradition, after Domitian s death, John returned to Ephesus where he later died. 11 Traditions vary. Most of the traditions listed are recorded in John Foxe, Fox s Book of Martyrs, ed. William Byron Forbush (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1926). 12 Second Timothy 4:6 anticipates Paul s death. 13 Foxe, 6. 4

5 suffered long and terribly for their refusal to deny their faith. 14 Persecution continues today. In some countries it is illegal to encourage others to become Christians. Even in countries with religious freedom, there is the subtle persecution of hatred, criticism, insults, slander, and misrepresentation. 15 This affects some worse than physical per secution would. If they were challenged to deny Christ or die on the spot, they would choose death. However, when persecution comes a little at a time, it eats away at their faith and perseverance like a cancer. Regardless of what form it may take, if you are faithful to the Lord, persecution is inevitable. That is one of the messages of our text. YOU CAN STILL BE HAPPY A second message of our text is that, in spite of the inevitability of persecution, you can rejoice and be happy. Jesus said, Rejoice and be glad. In the parallel passage, He said, Be glad in that day and leap for joy (Luke 6:23a). One who heard Him utter those words later wrote, But... if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts (1 Peter 3:14, 15a; see 4:16). It is not easy to rejoice when we are mistreated, but this is basic to the subject of happiness. If we are to be happy, we must learn to be happy even when tribulations come. When the apostles were beaten and ordered not to preach (Acts 5:40), they departed from the Jewish Council rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name (v. 41). Instead of wallowing in self-pity, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (v. 42). When Paul and Silas were beaten and cast into prison in Philippi, instead of complaining, they filled their prison cell with prayers and hymns of praise to God (Acts 16:25). It is said that early Christian martyrs went to their deaths singing hymns. When the venerable Polycarp was told to recant his faith in Jesus 14 One source of information is James M. Tolle, The Beatitudes (Fullerton, Calif.: Tolle Publications, 1966), You can insert illustrations as they apply in your society. In the US the media constantly ridicules those who are called fundamentalists. Regarding a recent event, one news program referred to churches of Christ as a cult. or die, he replied, Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me? 16 Why Rejoice? It is difficult for many of us to understand how we can possibly rejoice and be glad when persecution comes. Let me be clear on the matter: Jesus did not mean that we should desire persecution or be happy simply because we are persecuted. The writer of Hebrews said that Jesus Himself for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2; emphasis mine). Why, then, should we rejoice when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness? Let me make a few suggestions. Because of what persecution can do for us. Persecution may bring opportunities. Some forms of persecution provide an opportunity for us to grow spiritually. James wrote, Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2 4; see Romans 5:3, 4). Not only can persecution stimulate spiritual growth, but it can also make us aware of our need for God and drive us to Him for refuge. Because Paul had committed his life to the Lord, he could write,... when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; see v. 9). Another opportunity persecution can bring is the opportunity to demonstrate a Christlike spirit. When Jesus was reviled [attacked verbally], He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats (1 Peter 2:23). We are challenged to follow His example: When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure (1 Corinthians 4:12b). 17 Because of what persecution can show. Persecution can indicate we are following Jesus. 18 Like the apostles, we can learn to rejoice because we are 16 Foxe, In 1 Corinthians 4:12, Paul was speaking of himself, but he elsewhere challenged his readers to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). 18 As noted earlier, persecution is not proof of discipleship, but a result. That is why I use qualifying terms in this section: can indicate, may reveal. 5

6 counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41). God has promised that He will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). It has been said that persecution may reveal the Lord s high opinion of us; He has confidence that we can endure it with His help. Persecution may indicate that we have been busy in the service of Christ. Satan and his followers have little reason to bother those who are no threat to them. Then, when we survive persecution with God s help, we can rejoice that we have met the test. Notice that Jesus said, Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness. 19 Special emphasis is given to those who have already endured a great storm of persecution and are still standing firm. These faithful ones certainly have reason to rejoice. Because persecution can indicate where we are headed. The primary reason for rejoicing when persecution comes is what we are promised if we endure: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10b). Let me first emphasize the word kingdom : the realm over which God reigns. Persecution may be evidence that you have indeed enthroned God in your heart. Knowing that we are part of His kingdom is the partial fulfillment of His promise in this life. The focus in this beatitude, however, is on the life to come. In verse 12a Jesus added, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great (emphasis mine; see Luke 6:23a). In this life our reward is sufficient and our needs are met, but in heaven our reward shall be great. Even if you suffer the loss of all things, you can know that God has prepared for you a heavenly kingdom. No matter what life brings, we have hope both sure and steadfast, the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19; see Romans 5:3, 4). CONCLUSION We have come to the end of the Beatitudes. This great passage has challenged us to realize our need for God, to mourn over our inadequacies, to yield ourselves to the Lord, and to desire God and His way as a starving man longs for food. We 19 The KJV has which are persecuted. The Greek text uses the perfect tense which indicates action in the past continuing in the present. have been told that one who follows Christ will be merciful, will be pure in heart, and will act as a peacemaker. Now we have also been informed that one who does these things can expect persecution from a world that does not, cannot, understand. But, Jesus in effect said, that s all right because God will help you. And if you endure, you will be blessed both here and hereafter. Early Christians loved the eighth beatitude.... It caused them to smile in the bitterest of violence. It was a daily consolation, for they knew the kingdom was theirs and that their reward was great in heaven. With the Lord s promised blessing as an inward brace and a spiritual strength, they were empowered to endure a great [conflict] of sufferings [Hebrews 10:32]. 20 Today Jesus is still asking us, as He asked James and John long ago, whether or not we are able to drink the cup of suffering He drank and be baptized with the baptism of suffering He endured. My prayer is that you will take a stand for righteousness and then live for the sake of righteousness, that is, for Jesus sake. If you will, through many tribulations (Acts 14:22) you will someday enter the home of the soul. Notes Brother Hugo McCord entitled his sermon on Matthew 5:10 12 Pleasure in Distress. 21 William Barclay spoke of the bliss of suffering for Christ. 22 Here is another approach to discussing why we can rejoice when we are persecuted: (1) because it is for a good cause (for Jesus sake), (2) because it puts us in good company (prophets were also persecuted), and (3) because we will receive good compensation (great reward in heaven). The source of persecution varies from country to country and even from region to region. Persecution may come from unbelievers, the government, and the religious community (think of those who persecuted Christ). It can even come from fellow Christians. On this point, make whatever application will be most helpful to your listeners. David Roper 20 McCord, Ibid., William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, vol. 1, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1958), Copyright, 2008 by Truth for Today ALL RIGHTS RESERVED