In 2014, ISIS began to retake territory around Mosul, Iraq. Militant began singling out Christians by marking the Arabic letter “n” [IMAGE] on homes and businesses.
It stands for Nazrani or, Nazarene, the arabic word for “Christian.”
A not-so-subtle to convert or be killed.
History is filled with examples of groups being singled out for their beliefs. From the mid 20th century, we remember the Jews of Europe being forced to wear a yellow Star of David [IMAGE].
Symbols, used in this manner, are intended to pursue, harass, intimidate. They give others the “permission” to do the same.
Sometimes, a certain group is relatively easy to identify: race, language, style of clothing.
Often it is not. In the US, we are, at this point, highly unlike to be singled out for our faith by spray paint on our homes or by being forced to wear a cross on our clothing.
In fact, our primary symbol of faith has been appropriated and stripped of its meaning by most who choose to wear a cross.
This context creates difficulty in figuring out what to make of the last blessing that Jesus pronounces in the Beatitudes.
We have taken time to hear from Jesus to find out what pleases God. What it looks like to follow Him in this life. We know more about the character and quality of a Christian as well as the outcomes we can expect.
to recap:
Matthew 5:3–10 NLT
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
With this final beatitude, blessed are the persecuted, we make think we’re getting a pass. We’re not often bothered by others in our faith.
This belief, in my estimation, gets the meaning of the beatitude wrong.
Briefly:
Blessed = approved of, favored by, God. God is pleased.
Persecuted = pursued by, harassed
Righteousness = the quality of being judged “right.” Being right with God in our head-hands-heart.
Kingdom of Heaven = the sovereign rule of God now and forever.
Jesus tells us that:
God is pleased when our behavior reflects His will. At times, we will be in conflict with the world because we follow Jesus.
The Believer’s Reality
Jesus repeatedly warned His followers that there would be conflict because they chose to be His disciples.
Matthew 5:11–12 NLT
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
John 15:18–20 NLT
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
The early church experienced persecution from the very beginning.
Acts 8:1–3 NLT
1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
The Result of Their Lifestyle
Immediately following the beatitudes, Jesus tells the disciples that their job is to reflect these beatitudes (Jesus’ life) in their world. It is supposed to make a difference.
Matthew 5:13–16 NLT
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Do we honestly believe that people are always going to appreciated having light shone on their rebellion?
When we take Jesus seriously and reboot our lives into the model he has described for us, we become a lot less worldly. We aren’t influenced by secular values and philosophies. Our minds change.
Thats vv. 3-5 (poor in spirit, mourning, humility)
When we continue on and mature in our understanding, we begin to see the world as God see it. We want justice, we choose to be merciful, we wash our minds, hearts and hands and purify our lives. We seek resolution and restoration rather than conflict and power games.
That’s vv. 6-9 (justice, mercy, purity, peace).
Again, do you think that everyone is going to be glad to have Jesus’ light shining through you into their lives - highlighting their brokenness?
Spoiler alert: NOPE.
That’s why Jesus talks about persecution last.
It’s the result of a lifestyle. It’s not something we seek out. We don’t instigate persecution.
It happens because of who we belong to and how He has transformed our lives.
Our Response
Oddly enough we should rejoice. It’s a change of perspective. Our lives in Christ have actually caused a response in others.
It’s not the desired outcome but it shows that we’re doing something.
Acts 5:41 NLT
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
We also pray. Militant Christianity hasn’t ever been the goal of the Church.
Even under Roman rule and sporadic persecution, the apostle commanded the church to be good citizens.
Romans 12:18–21 NLT
18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans 13:1–5 NLT
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Wrap up/Reboot
Nearly 57 years ago, a group of African Americans over 600 strong, walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Alabama to peacefully demonstrate and highlight the racial inequities of our society. John Lewis, who would later become a United States’ senator, led the march.
Brutal attacks by law enforcement upon the protestors shocked the nation.
It’s no small irony that the ABC Sunday evening movie, “Justice at Nuremberg” was interrupted to break the news and show film of the events.
From then on, John Lewis would repeatedly advise people on how to respond to persecution and injustice:
He would say, “If you’re going to get into trouble, get into good trouble, necessary trouble.”
What he meant was, live in such an way that you reflect what is right and good and let the consequences be whatever they are.
I sincerely pray that we do not find ourselves, ever, in the kind of trouble that Iraqi Christians, Jews of the mid-20th century or minorities of the same season (and today) find themselves in.
However, when you and I take Jesus’ words in the beatitudes seriously, when we truly seek to live in such a way that God is pleased with us, we just might find some folks who don’t like it very much.
Rejoice for the sake of Christ.
Pray for your enemies.
Turn the other cheek
Be salt and light.
