One of our challenges for 2014 is to learn and live
all 50
commands of Jesus. Jesus told us that following his commandments
is a way to love him and a way for his love and his joy to fill our lives (John
15:9-12). In his Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to make
disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded us
(Matthew 28:19-20). So each week in this year we are learning and living
one command of Jesus. Here is our command for this week...
Week 23:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your
reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you,” (Matthew 5:11-12).
Application:
We are approaching Thanksgiving. Of all the things we could give thanks for, I
am guessing this one was probably not high on the list. It probably was not even on your radar. Yet Jesus commands us to rejoice when we are persecuted because of our connection with Jesus. This may sound like an unrealistic command,
but this is actually what happened among the first followers of Jesus.
Ever since my sister and dad were baptized this past
year, we have been reading the bible together every day. My sister picked out a reading plan that has
us reading through the New Testament in a year.
This week we are reading through the beginning of Acts, which tells the
story of the very beginning of the Christian movement after Jesus rose and
ascended to heaven.
Not surprisingly, this early faith community faced persecution like Jesus did. In Acts
chapter 5, we learn that the apostles were arrested, threatened, and flogged. That does not sound like much fun. And yet listen to their response as they were sent away: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been
counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name,” (Acts 5:41). They rejoiced when they were persecuted because
of their connection with Jesus.
Their rejoicing does not strike me as merely a dutiful response
to Jesus’ command. Their rejoicing seems
genuine and sincere. Jesus gave so much
for them, suffered so much for them, sacrificed so much for them. To be able to do even a little of that in
return for Jesus gave them cause for thanksgiving. They could rejoice knowing they were giving
their life for a God who saved theirs.
They could rejoice knowing that they were following in the footsteps of
their ancestors in faith. They could
rejoice knowing that an eternal reward awaited them in heaven that no
persecution on earth could ever diminish or destroy.
There are many places around the world where Christians still
face arrest, threats, torture, and death because of their connection with
Jesus. To learn more about their
situations and how you can help, visit: Voice
of the Martyrs.
What about us? In
the United States our risk is much less, yet we still risk persecution because of
our connection with Jesus. If we talk
about Jesus, people may think we are weird, we may be ostracized from friends
or family or coworkers, we may be teased or ridiculed, we may have to make come sacrifices in how we live, and/or we may be labeled in an
unflattering way. Are we willing to risk
that for the one who risked it all for us and for those who need to hear about his free gifts of love, forgiveness, and eternal life?
More than that, will we rejoice when
persecuted? Will we rejoice because of the privilege to give back to Jesus, to follow in the tradition of our ancestors in faith, and to earn a reward in heaven?
As we approach thanksgiving, please:
1) Add to your prayer list: the persecuted church
2) Add to your thanksgiving list: the opportunity to risk for Jesus and to be persecuted for our connection to him
Share your comments and application ideas…
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