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Throughout the beatitudes, the Lord has been laboring to make clear what it means to truly be a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. He has, in a few verses, managed to turn the religious thinking of His day upside down.

Now as we come to the end of our study of the beatitudes we are confronted with one of the most shocking statements the Lord ever uttered.

 

READ: Matthew 5:10-12.

 

The Lord gives His most extensive treatment to this last beatitude. First, let me just note the structure of these verses.

In v. 10 the Lord ends the inclusio which began in v. 3, now returning to the present tense, “Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

As opposed the previous 6 verses, “shall be,” which looks forward to the ultimate and final fulfillment at the end of the age; in heaven.

Verses 11-12 expand on His statement in v.10.

To understand what the Lord is teaching us here we are going to break it down into 5 truths about persecution that will encourage us to live more boldly & more decisively for Christ. They are:

(1) REALITY, (2) REASON, (3) RESULT, (4) RESPONSE, and (5) REWARD of persecution. We are going to look at the first 3 this morning.

 

I. The Reality of Persecution.

 

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness”

Trans: The term is repeated three times, once in each verse. Before we begin to examine this verse let me first define the term.

 

(A) Definition of persecution:

Basic meaning is “to pursue, or follow after; zealously seek after”; it can be used in both a positive and negative sense.

Positive: 1 Thess. 5:15 “Pursue what is good”; Phil 3:14 “Pursue the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

However, most often it is used negatively, with the idea of pursue to harm, or to persecute: Psalm 7:1-2 “O LORD my God, in You I have taken refuge; Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, or he will tear my soul like a lion, dragging me away, while there is none to deliver”.

 

(B) Persecution is a promise, not a possibility.

 

This reality has defined the experience of the true people of God, since the Fall of man.

Luke 11:49-51 “ I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute … From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah”

 

2 Tim. 3:12 - “Those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”

 

Matt. 23:34 - "Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city”

 

(C) Persecution is a sign of blessing.

To call the “persecuted” “blessed” may sound very strange to our ears.

Yet, God says it marks one as “blessed,” it confirms one as being a true citizen of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”

Paul told the suffering church at Philipi: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil. 1:29).

1 Pet. 4:14 “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God wrest on you.”

 

God’s people have always been persecuted; it is the inevitable result of two conflicting kingdoms; the kingdom of Heaven and the domain of darkness.

The world, under the influence of the “evil one, held captive by him to do his will,” sought to destroy the gospel by squashing it with violence. However, instead of destroying the Church, the very persecution was used by God to make it strong and give evidence it’s supernatural nature and of the reality of the Person of Jesus Christ.

 

Trans: Satan’s attempt to destroy the church lasted approximately 300 years and came in two major waves: (1) Jewish & (2) Roman persecution.

 

(A) Jewish persecution

 

(1) Jesus: Ultimately ending in His death by crucifixion, recorded in all 4 gospels.

(2) Apostles: As early as Acts 4:1-3 is the record of Peter and John being arrested. Again in ch. 5, the apostles are imprisoned and flogged.

(3) Stephen: Acts 7:54-60 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him … they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep.”

(4) Saul: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1 “Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem … Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison … Saul, still breathing out threats, and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

(5) James: Acts 12 was murdered by Herod, to the pleasure of the Jews.

 

Trans: Now, eventually the persecution of the Jews gave way to Roman hostilities.

 

(B) Roman persecution

The first major conflict with the Christian church and Rome came under the reign of Nero (54-68), who was a weird and wicked ruler, who, at the end of his life, life was marked by increased jealousy, perversion, cruelty.

When Rome burned in 64AD the suspicion of the citizens quickly turned to the ruthless and ambitious Nero. It is said that in order to divert attention from himself he laid blame on the Christians. Of this persecution one writer notes:

 

“Nero wrapped the Christians in pitch and set them alight, and used them as living torches to light his gardens. He sewed them in the skins of wild animals and set his hunting dogs upon them to tear them to death. They were tortured on the rack; they were scraped with pincers; molten lead was poured hissing upon them; red hot brass plates were affixed to the tenderest parts of their bodies; eyes were torn out; parts of their bodies were cut off and roasted before their eyes; their hands and feet were burned while cold water was poured over them to lengthen the agony.”

 

Now the Neronian persecution was the rage of a single violent man; the systematic persecution by the Roman government would come on the heels of his debauchery.

At first the Christian church was simply viewed as a sect of the Jewish religion and therefore enjoyed certain legal protection under Roman law, which was granted them, providentially by Julius Caesar 1st c. AD.

However, as the impact of the gospel began to spread, and largely among the Gentiles, it began to be recognized as its own distinct religion and viewed by Rome as a threat to the state.

It was under the reign of the Roman emperor, Domitian (81-96), whom Philip Schaff describes as, “a suspicious and blasphemous tyrant, accustomed to call himself and to be called ‘Lord and God,” that Christianity moved from being considered a nuisance to a crime against the state because of their refusal to acknowledge the deity of the Roman emperor and Roman god's.

What was begun under Domitian would continue through the last Roman persecutor Emperor Diocletian (311). The persecutions varied in intensity, duration, and location, but all were criminal acts against God’s people.

It is said that the tortures and cruelties inflicted upon God’s people manifested the worst of man’s fallen imagination. John Foxe, gives an account which took place under Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (162-180):

 

“The cruelties against Christians in this persecution were so inhuman that many of those who watched them shuddered with horror, and were astonished at the courage of the sufferers. Some of the martyrs had their feet crushed in presses, and were then forced to walk over thorns, nails, sharp shells, and other pointed objects. Others were whipped until their sinews and veins were exposed. Then after suffering the most excruciating tortures that could be devised, they were killed in terrible ways. Yet few turned from Christ or begged their torturers to lessen their pains.”

 

Through all of the persecution, loss of life, possessions, freedoms, comforts, and torture the church remained faithful to her Lord, and so triumphed over the forces of darkness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

“This bloody baptism of the church resulted in the birth of a Christian world …. History reports no mightier, longer and deadlier conflict that this war of extermination waged by heathen Rome against defenseless Christianity. It was a most unequal struggle, a struggle of the sword and of the cross; carnal power all on one side, moral power all on the other. It was a struggle for life and death. One or the other of the combatants must succumb. A compromise was impossible. The future of the worlds’ history depended on the downfall of heathenism and the triumph of Christianity. Behind the scene were the powers of the invisible world, God and the prince of darkness.” (Schaff).

 

Trans: Despite all the vicious attacks the church prevailed through the power of changed hearts and souls redeemed by the blood of the lamb, united to the resurrected Lord in unbreakable fellowship. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” (Tertullian). However, the reality of persecution goes beyond martyrdom, but includes all manner of suffering for the name of Christ.

 

Persecution comes in a variety of forms and degrees.

 

(11) “Blessed are you when they reproach you and persecute and say all manner of evil against you for the sake of Me”

 

Carries over the same theme of blessedness, but now makes it even more personal and expands the meaning to include all manner of persecution.

He is specifically addressing His disciples (change to 2nd person), each of whom were martyred, or suffered greatly for the cause of Christ.

However, these are general conditions or realities experienced by the righteous. The Lord is not saying that every Christian, in every way, and to the same degree will experience these. However, He is saying that to some degree, some of these, will in some way be a reality in the life of the one who is living godly.

 

(1) “reproach you”

CL: the n. carries the sense, “disgrace, shame, scandal; v. to scold, revile, or raise a complaint against something.” Comes in variety of forms:

(a) Ridicule/ Mockery: Lord on the cross (Lk. 23:35-39).

(b) Intellectual attack:

Science: Creation/Evolution

Philosophy: New Atheism - sees Christianity not only as foolish, but dangerous to society and humanity. Some modern examples of this would be such names as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris.

Friedrich Neitzsche, an influential pagan philosopher of the 19th century, hated Christianity and thought it to be the great evil of the world. In his autobiography, which he entitled Anti-Christ, he wrote, “I condemn Christianity … the Christian church has left nothing untouched by its depravity, it has made of every value a disvalue.”

 

(2) “Persecute you” - covered earlier, has an emphasis on the physical aspect of the persecution. Still goes on today.

ILLUST: On June 7, police raided an evangelism meeting, arrested and tortured a pastor and two others in Boalia, Bangladesh. Pastor Habibur Rahman, of Boalia Spiritual Church was leading the meeting when suddenly the police came in and took them to the police station. That night the police blindfolded them with cloths for few hours and beat them up. During the beatings police asked who was supporting them financially, and how long they had been evangelizing and how many people they had converted. At some point during the torture, police burned one of the believer’s hands and lips with a cigarette.

 

(3) “say all manner of evil against you” - this speaks of the various and wide varieties of slander against Christians, intended to hurt and destroy.

This was seen when Christ stood before the council on the night of His betrayal (Matt. 26:57-68).

Accusers of Paul (2 Cor. 10:10).

Romans against the early church.

Cannibals - because they spoke of eating flesh and drinking the blood of Christ.

Atheist - because they would not acknowledge Roman gods, and particularly they would not engage in emperor worship. They were accused of hating humanity.

Immoral - accused of incestuous orgies. because they spoke of “love feast” and referred to each other as “brother” and “sister.”

 

Trans: Persecution is a reality of the godly and comes in a variety of forms and to various degrees. It should not be a shocker to us, as Peter reminded suffering Christians in 1 Pet. 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” Now, let’s note the reason for persecution.

 

II. The Reason for Persecution.

 

(A) First, it is important to grasp what persecution He is not talking about.

 

(1) Not persecution for sin, rudeness, lack of tact, harshness, etc.

1 Peter 2:20 “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?

4:15 “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.”

 

(2) Not persecution of the innocent

- Many throughout the history of the world have been “innocently” persecuted, by wicked men based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or political party that is not the persecution He speaks of here that accounts one as “blessed.” The blessedness referred to is specifically the blessedness of being in the “Kingdom of heaven.” It is the blessedness associated with genuine salvation. It is the blessed persecution that comes specifically from righteousness and identification with the Person of Jesus and message of Jesus Christ.

 

(B) What does account for blessed persecution:

(1) Persecution “For the sake of righteousness”

Righteousness, in its most basic sense, simply means that which conforms to the character and truth of God.

 

Trans: * The world suppresses the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18) and therefore hates any manifestation of righteousness because it confronts their sin and hypocrisy. This is especially true for the religious hypocrite.

 

(1) Exposes evil: (John “I expose its deeds as evil” cf. 3:20).

Exposes hypocrisy: John 5:16 - “for this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath” -

Rebuke to a sinful lifestyle

(1 Pet. 4:4) “In this they are surprised that you don not run with them in to the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you”.

Term translated “malign” is the term blaspheme - harsh and evil speech designed to hurt and ruin one’s reputation; it involves the idea of malicious slander.

 

(2) Identifying with Christ: “For the sake of Me”

 

(1) “of Me” (connected to “of righteousness” in 10)confirms the reality that those who belong to Christ imitate Christ righteousness, showing genuine citizenship in the kingdom.

(2) The world’s hatred of Christians is really hatred of Christ.

John 15:20 - “A slave is not greater than his master,’ if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

We are so prone to take it personally, which is why we want to react. It is not us as individuals the world hates, it is the Christ with whom we identify and whom we serve.

(3) Christ views the persecution of His children as persecution of Himself.

Acts 9:4 - “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” - to persecute a Christian is to persecute Christ Himself. Christians are united to Him in spiritual union, we are His body, His presence among the world.

(4) Fallen man hates the Exclusivity of the gospel: challenges pride of man.

Because as long as men have a choice, a plurality of options, man is the final decision maker; man then has the authority.

But to proclaim an exclusive Christ at once places man under the absolute authority of Christ and exposes their sin and need.

 

Let’s me also note a few reasons for persecution from God’s side:

 

(1) Persecution demonstrates faith and the righteousness of God’s judgment.

2 Thess. 1:3-8

(2) Persecution demonstrates the depravity of man’s heart.

Arthur Pink noted, “It is a strong proof of human depravity that men’s curses and Christ’s blessing should meet on the same persons.”

(3) Persecution is a means of exposing the genuine from the false

 

Matt. 13:20-22 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but is temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”

 

Trans: Lest anyone be too discouraged, it is possible to avoid all of this. How?

 

(1) Simply compromise the message simply to avoid persecution

Gal. 6:12 - “Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ” -

Religious hypocrites are always willing to compromise the truth in order to escape persecution.

(2) Compromise integrity: Laugh at things that are sinful; listen to gossip when you should expose it; compromise on honesty so others won’t think your too strict or weird.

 

Trans: The reality of persecution is a part of the gospel, it is also a call to be willing to forsake all to follow Christ. When coming to Christ we are giving up our lives to His service; to obedience to Him; to dispose with as He deems right. The understanding of persecution is a part of repentance and should not be withheld from our presentation of the gospel.

 

(1) Family relationships: Matt. 10:34 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me, HE who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

 

(2) Physical safety and comfort: Matt. 16:24 “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

 

(3) Possessions: Lk. 14:25-33 “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ … So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”

 

The persecution we endure here cannot compare to the grace of the gospel Christians have been granted, or of the glories that are prepared for those who endure as seeing that which is unseen.

 

Let me end with this account:

In the 1600’s a movement of Christians in Scotland known as the Covenanters cost the lives of many because of their faithfulness to Christ. The issue was over who was Head of the Church, the Lord or the king. The Covenanters signed a covenant that swore their allegiance to Christ and solemnly vowed never to bow to the king as head of the church.

This, of course, put them at conflict with the ruling government.

In the course of the battle, which lasted approx. 150 years there are many accounts of heroic men, women, and even youths who stood strong for the name of Christ, held captive by their conscience, emboldened by their faith in Christ, and humbled by the grace they knew in Him.

One such man was Hugh MacKail. Historian Jock Purves describes his last moments like this:

 

“Up that eloquent path of his nation’s history, the High Street of Edinburgh, the godly saint struggled along to the gallows. Crowds groaning and in tears watched him as he passed. ‘He was fairer and of a more stayed countenance than ever before,’ they said. Looking over the great concourse of solemn people, joyous faith suffused him, and he cried aloud in a rapture, ‘So there is a greater and more solemn preparation in heaven to carry my soul to Christ’s bosom. …

Up the ladder to the rope he climbed, crying ‘I care no more to go up this ladder, and over it, than if I were going home to my father’s house.” Rung by rung he called aloud, ‘Every step is a degree nearer heaven.’ Sitting at the top of the ladder he took out his pocket Bible, and after addressing the crowds, he read from the last chapter of it.

Standing up, the napkin was put over his face, but lifting it, in a remarkable voice by faith inspired, he burst forth into an ecstatic offering of farewells and welcome filled with grace and glory, a blessed, wondrous and glorious Amen of comparison;

‘Now, I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and turn my speech to Thee, O Lord. Now I begin my intercourse with God which shall never be broken off. Farewell, father and mother, friends and relations! Farewell, the world and all delights! Farewell, meat and drink! Farewell, sun, moon and stars! Welcome, God and Father! Welcome sweet Lord Jesus, Mediator of the New Covenant! Welcome, blessed Spirit of Grace, God of all consolation! Welcome, glory! Welcome, eternal life! Welcome, death!”

“The rope tightened around his thin young neck. The watching crowds groaned dismally. And then was witnessed something surely unparalleled … Dr. Matthew MacKail stood below the gallows, and as his martyr cousin writhed in the tautened ropes, he clasped the helpless jerking legs together and clung to them that death might come the easier and sooner. And so with Christ was Hugh MacKail ‘with his sweet boyish smile’. ‘And that will be my welcome,’ he had said, ‘the Spirit and the Bride say, Come.’”

 

So is the cost of following Christ, giving all to gain Him. It is doubtful whether any of us will face that kind of persecution, but it is the faith of men like Hugh MacKail, and countless others who have gone before, that stand as beacons for us to count the cost, stand firm for Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and to glory of God, to live for Christ in the midst of a hostile world. And look expectantly to our eternal home in the heavens.